We saw figures with eyes that 2,000 died: Raut on Kumbh stampede
The recent Maha Kumbh stampede in Haridwar, which left 30 people dead and several others injured, has left the nation in shock. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern over the safety measures taken by the authorities to manage the massive crowd that gathered at the event. In the midst of this chaos, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut made a startling claim in the Rajya Sabha, stating that the figures he saw with his own eyes suggested that over 2,000 people had died in the stampede. His remarks sparked a heated debate in the House, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh asking him to authenticate the figure.
The stampede occurred on January 14, when a large number of devotees were trying to take a holy dip in the Ganges River at Har Ki Pauri. The incident took place during the evening hours when the crowd was at its peak. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people trampling over each other in a bid to escape the crush.
The exact number of fatalities is still unclear, with authorities initially reporting 30 deaths and later revising the figure to 22. The exact cause of the stampede is also under investigation, with officials citing overcrowding and the failure of the crowd management system as possible factors.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Raut’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha raised many eyebrows. He stated that he had seen the bodies and was convinced that over 2,000 people had died in the stampede. “We saw figures with eyes that 2,000 people were dead,” Raut said, adding that the authorities had not done enough to prevent the tragedy.
Raut’s claims sparked a heated debate in the House, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh asking him to authenticate the figure. Harivansh said, “I request you to provide a credible source or data to back your claim. If you are making such a serious allegation, it is our duty to verify it.”
Raut responded by saying that he had seen the bodies himself and was convinced that over 2,000 people had died. He also criticized the authorities for their handling of the situation, saying that they had not done enough to prevent the tragedy.
The debate sparked by Raut’s remarks highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the investigation into the stampede. It is essential that the authorities provide accurate and timely information to the public, and that they take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Maha Kumbh stampede is the latest in a series of tragic incidents that have occurred during religious events in India. In 2013, a stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad killed over 40 people, while another incident in 2017 at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala resulted in the deaths of over 20 people.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for greater vigilance and planning when it comes to managing large crowds at religious events. It is essential that authorities take concrete steps to prevent overcrowding, ensure that emergency services are adequately prepared, and provide accurate and timely information to the public.
In conclusion, the Maha Kumbh stampede is a tragedy that has left the nation in shock. While the exact number of fatalities is still unclear, Raut’s claims of over 2,000 deaths highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the investigation. It is essential that authorities take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future, and that the public is kept informed of the progress of the investigation.
