Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticized local authorities on Tuesday for the tragic stampede at the Shitala Mata Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district, which resulted in the death of eight women and injuries to several others. Expressing sorrow and shock over the incident, Kejriwal conveyed his deepest condolences to the affected families.
Kejriwal highlighted various shortcomings on the part of the authorities, pointing out the delayed arrival of ambulances and the lack of crowd management preparations. He emphasized the need for increased vigilance by administrations nationwide, especially in crowded areas.
The stampede occurred during a religious gathering at the Shitala Mata Temple, where a large influx of devotees led to overcrowding and chaos. Witnesses described how the situation quickly deteriorated as people rushed for darshan, leading to crushing and the stampede.
The temple, known for heavy footfall on Tuesdays, experienced even higher attendance due to it being the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month. Disturbing scenes from the incident showed numerous unconscious devotees, predominantly women, on the ground as rescue efforts commenced.
In response to the tragedy, the Bihar government launched an investigation into the matter, instructing the Chief Secretary to conduct a thorough inquiry. Additionally, authorities suspended the in-charge of the Deepnagar police station in connection with the incident.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party criticized the Modi government at the Centre, accusing it of causing a severe LPG and fuel crisis nationwide. The party alleged that industries were at a standstill and people were facing difficulties obtaining essential supplies, contrary to the government’s reassurances. They pointed to footage of long queues at fuel stations as evidence of the crisis, attributing the shortages to the Union government’s foreign policy failures.
The party’s statements underscored the challenges faced by citizens in accessing domestic LPG cylinders and petrol, contrasting the ground reality with official claims of control. Reports indicated widespread queues for fuel across the country, reflecting the alleged mismanagement at the governmental level.