Bhubaneswar, June 29: Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched an attack on the Odisha Government and held it responsible for the tragic stampede at Saradhabali near the Gundicha Temple in Puri that claimed the lives of three devotees and left several others injured.
Calling it as “abysmal failure” and “government’s glaring incompetence”, Patnaik said that blatant callousness of the state government has undeniably contributed to this tragedy.
He urged the government to implement urgent corrective measures to ensure the smooth conduct of Adapa Bije, Bahuda, Suna Besha, and other key Rath Yatra rituals.
Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, Patnaik wrote, “While I refrain from accusing the government of criminal negligence, their blatant callousness has undeniably contributed to this tragedy. I urge the government to implement urgent corrective measures to ensure the smooth conduct of Adapa Bije, Bahuda, Suna Besha, and other key #RathYatra rituals.”
Patnaik said that the stampede occurring just a day after poor crowd management during the Rath Yatra that injured hundreds highlights the government's incompetence in ensuring a safe and peaceful festival for devotees.
“Today’s stampede, occurring just a day after the abysmal failure of crowd management during the #RathYatra that left hundreds injured, exposes the government’s glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival for devotees,” he added.
Patnaik also targeted the government over eyewitness’ claims of initial response from the devotees’ relatives with no government authorities present to manage the crowd and termed it as “shocking lapse in duty”.
“Eyewitnesses report that the initial response to this horrific tragedy came from the devotees’ relatives, with no government machinery present to manage the surging crowds, highlighting a shocking lapse in duty,” he added.
He also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who lost their lives and prayed to Lord Jagannath for the swift recovery of those who were injured in the stampede.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, #Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident,” he wrote.
