In a heartbreaking turn of events during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, three devotees—two women and one elderly man—lost their lives and more than 50 others were injured in a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple early Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. when an overwhelming crowd surged forward to witness a crucial ritual, the ‘Pahuda’, causing chaos and panic. Eyewitnesses described a severe lack of crowd control, with devotees falling on each other while trying to get a glimpse of the deities. Officials said that two trucks carrying ritual materials unexpectedly entered the congested area, worsening the situation. Six of the injured are reported to be in critical condition and are receiving intensive care at local hospitals.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing deep regret, took to social media to apologize to devotees and promised stringent action. Labeling the tragedy a result of “unpardonable negligence”, he suspended two senior police officers—DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi—and ordered the transfer of Puri’s district collector and SP. The CM has also announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh each to the families of the deceased and an administrative inquiry under the development commissioner. Opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress, have strongly criticized the state government’s failure in crowd management. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called the incident a shameful reflection of poor planning, while Rahul Gandhi urged for immediate relief measures and emphasized the need for crowd safety protocols at large public gatherings.
The titular king of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb, also expressed sorrow and called for a thorough investigation to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated. Despite the tragedy, rituals continued at the Gundicha Temple where the deities are currently housed until the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) on July 5. The Rath Yatra, a centuries-old religious tradition attracting millions, now stands shadowed by this tragic mishap. The event has ignited national concern about festival safety, emergency preparedness, and the urgent need for reforms in managing large religious congregations across India.
