Narayan Sakar Hari, known to his followers as Bhole Baba, is a religious figure who organized a large gathering in Hathras. Tragically, a stampede during the event resulted in over 119 deaths. Before dedicating himself to spirituality, he served as a police officer in Uttar Pradesh and reportedly held a position with the Intelligence Bureau.
Hathras Stampede Incident: On July 2, 2024, one of the deadliest stampede took place in Hathras District in Uttar Pradesh. Reportedly,116 people have been killed and several people were injured. Among the victims, a large of women and children were injured or killed. The Satsang (Hindu religious event) was organized by a local preacher "Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari" known as "Bhole Baba" among his devotees. As the Bhole Baba was leaving after the Satsang, devotees rushed to touch his feet crushing hundreds of people.
FIR against the organizers: People had come to attend the Satsang of the self-styled guru from various parts of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states. An FIR has been filed against the organizers and they have been charged under Sections 105, 110 126(2), 223, and 238 of the criminal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) . Bhole Baba is to be arrested soon. He ran from the incident and is believed to be at his ashram in Mainpuri about 100 km from the Phulrai village, where the incident took place.
Godman Behind Hathras Incident: Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari commonly known as Bhole Baba among his devotees is from a Dalit family of Bahadur Nagari Village in Kasganj District, approximately 65 km away from Hathras. His original name is "Suraj Pal". Before becoming Bhole Baba, he was a constable with the UP police. Before quitting the constable role in the 1990s, he was last posted in Agra. As per the report of NDTV, he had previously worked with the Intelligence Bureau. He is a self-styled preacher and conducts Satsang " Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Sangam" with his wife, commonly known as Matashree. Reports of Indian Express also claim that he doesn't have children. He prefers to wear a white suit and tie or a kurta-pajama. He said that he had a feeling of spirituality even when he was working with the Intelligence Bureau. More than 2.5 lakh came to attend the Satsang even though the organizers took permission for only 80 thousand people. The area where the Satsang took place was too small to accommodate 2.5 lakh people, resulting in a massive stampede. Hari is in trouble and is likely to be arrested as there were no adequate arrangements for the Satsang and many people were injured or lost their lives. He is believed to be at his "Ram Kutir Charitable Trust" ashram in Manipuri.
Authorities have set up a committee to investigate this incident. The committee will be headed by the Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Agra, and the Commissioner of Aligarh.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences to the families who have died on X (formerly known as Twitter) he said officials are continuously working to improve the conditions and help with all the necessities and health care facilities to the people. Rescue operations are being carried out. The families of those who died in the stampede will receive a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each, while the injured will get Rs 50,000 each. Legal action is to be taken against organizers under the new criminal law Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
President Droupadi Murmu on X said such incidents are heartbreaking. She expressed her deepest condolences to those who lost their family in the Stampede. Additionally, she said to pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The government released helpline numbers from different cities for those enquiring about their loved ones.
Agra Zone Control - 7839866849
Aligarh Range Control - 7839855724
Agra Range Control - 7839855724
Hathras Control - 9454417377
Etah Control - 9454417438
Aligarh Control - 7007459568