Three women were killed and four injured in a stampede outside the Khatu Shyam temple in the Sikar district of Rajasthan early on Monday, 8 August.
A lot of devotees had gathered outside the temple forming long queues on the occasion of 'Gyaras', an auspicious day as per the Hindu calendar. The temple opened at around 4:30 am, following which the devotees flocked for 'darshan'.
In one of the queues, a 63-year-old woman suffering from a heart ailment, identified as Shanti Devi, collapsed. Two women behind her – Maya Devi of Uttar Pradesh, and Kripa Devi hailing from Jaipur – also fell down amid the rush. "They died in the stampede," Superintendent of Police, K Rashtradeep, said.
"We were all standing together in a queue when we felt a sudden push from behind and all of us fell. My mother died in the incident," Devi's daughter Poonam said with tears in her eyes.
The SP further added that CCTV footage was being examined for better clarity on the incident, adding that the other two deceased are yet to be identified.
Meanwhile, a Station House Officer (SHO) has been suspended over the incident.
'Exact Cause of Death Unclear': Sikar Collector
Sikar Collector Avichal Chaturvedi said that close to one lakh people were outside the main gate, queuing up after the doors closed the previous night.
"Prima facie, they died of suffocation but the exact cause of death will be clear after post-mortem. The incident is unfortunate. The women fell due to the pressure of the crowd in their line. The lines for the entry to the temple start at different points and converge at the entry point," Chaturvedi said, while speaking to reporters.
"There was a heavy rush outside the temple. The pressure of people mounted as soon as the gates of the temple opened, which led to the situation that left three women dead. The situation was not handled well. Therefore, SHO Riya Chaudhary was suspended," he said.
The collector said that two or three lakh people visited the temple, located 45 km from Sikar city, over the last couple of days alone. About 40 lakh devotees have come over the past fortnight, he said.
"Lakhs of devotees visit the temple during the month of Phalgun every year and elaborate arrangements are made for crowd control. We are now examining what alternative arrangements can be made to handle big crowds on such days," he added.
Officials said that the number of devotees has increased after COVID-19 restrictions ended.
A fair is held at Khatu Shyamji on Phalgun Ekadashi every year.
PM Modi, CM Gehlot Among Others Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the deceased.
"Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji Temple complex in Sikar, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest," Modi said.
Rajasthan Chief Minster Ashok Gehlot also called the incident "unfortunate."
"The death of three women devotees due to stampede in Khatu Shyam ji's temple in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest sympathies are with the bereaved family, may God give them strength to bear this loss and may the departed soul rest in peace," Gehlot said.
He further added that an investigation about the incident would be carried out.
Gehlot also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 20,000 to the injured from Chief Minister Relief Fund.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took to Facebook expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased.
"The news of stampede at Khatu Shyam ji's fair in Sikar, Rajasthan is very saddening. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and peace to the departed souls and also express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," Gandhi said in a Facebook post in Hindi.
He further appealed the Congress workers of Rajasthan to help the local people, along with the administration at the earliest.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also condoled the families of the people who lost their lives in the incident.
He tweeted in Hindi, "The incident of stampede in Khatu Shyamji temple complex of Rajasthan is very unfortunate. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in this incident. I wish a speedy recovery to the devotees who have been injured."
Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) President Jagat Prakash Nadda also expressed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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