The event was organised by Narayana Sakar Hari, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader known as “Bhole baba“, and this incident happened in a village in Hathras district.
Reports indicate that the crowd at the satsang (prayer meeting) far exceeded the permitted number of 80,000, with over 250,000 devotees attending.
The prayer meeting was held in a temporary tent erected on a muddy field.
This fatal accident occurred when Bhole Baba was walking towards his vehicle after getting off the stage after the conclusion of the programme. A large number of devotees ran out of the tent hoping to touch his feet or the ground he walked on, resulting in a chaotic and deadly situation. Many were crushed and suffocated to death, while others fell into the muddy ground nearby and were crushed. Various factors, including inadequate planning and crowd management, have been blamed for this tragedy Negligence by organisers, inadequate safety measures and exits, and attendance of people beyond the capacity of the venue.
In the wake of the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a judicial probe, which will be conducted by a retired High Court judge and two retired IAS officers.
An FIR has been filed against the event organisers, though Bhole Baba has not been named in it yet. Bhole Baba, a member of the Dalit community, has a controversial history, including his arrest in 2000 for allegedly possessing “magical powers” and an incident in Agra where he allegedly seized the body of a dead teenager, claiming he could resurrect her through his alleged powers.
The Hathras incident is one of several deadly stampedes that have occurred in Hathras. Religious congregations In India, such incidents are often caused by inadequate crowd management, lack of safety measures and the excessive popularity of certain religious figures. Similar incidents include the 2016 explosion at a temple in Kerala (112 deaths), the 2013 stampede on a bridge near a temple in Madhya Pradesh (115 deaths) and the 2008 stampede at a hill temple in Jodhpur (224 deaths).
This latest tragedy highlights the urgent need for more stringent regulations and better planning for large-scale religious events in India to prevent such catastrophic loss of life and property in the future.
Here are some frequently asked questions on the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) comprehensive guidelines on effective crowd management.
What are the new guidelines on crowd management?
The NDMA has released a comprehensive guide titled “Managing Crowds at Events and Mass Gatherings”. The guide aims to equip state governments, local authorities, administrators and event organisers with strategies and procedures for effective crowd management at mass events. Mass celebrationsThe NDMA emphasises on a structured and integrated approach to prevent crowd-related disasters, which are primarily man-made and can be avoided with proper planning and implementation.
Why was this guide created?
The guide was created in response to frequent stampedes and crowd disasters at places of mass gatherings, including religious events, railway stations and social or political gatherings. With increasing population and urbanisation, the likelihood of such incidents has increased. NDMA Vice Chairman M Shashidhar Reddy highlighted that professional crowd management is a relatively new concept across the world, developed in response to various disasters. It aims to “guide organisers, administrators and other stakeholders for effective crowd management at places of mass gatherings.”
What are the major causes and triggers of crowd disasters?
The guide identifies a number of causes and factors that cause crowd disasters, categorizing them into six main areas:
- Structural issues: Crumbling of temporary structures, narrow and poorly lit pathways, unauthorised constructions, etc.
- Fire/electrical hazards: Fires in temporary facilities, unauthorised fireworks, inadequate fire safety measures and short circuits.
- Crowd control failures: Severe overcrowding due to poor planning, lack of entry control, inadequate exit routes and uncontrolled parking.
- Crowd behavior: panic, rush for entry or exit, clashes causing delays, and inappropriate reactions to emergencies.
- Security lapses: Inadequate deployment of security personnel, lack of coordination, poor communication systems and inadequate surveillance.
- Lack of coordination: Poor coordination between various stakeholders, inadequate infrastructure and delayed communication.
What strategies are recommended for effective crowd management?
The guide outlines several strategies for effective crowd management:
- Capacity Planning: Long term infrastructure development based on the popularity and frequency of events, with provision for rest and monitoring platforms.
- Understanding crowd behaviour: Identifying and managing potential miscreants to prevent mass panic or chaos.
- Risk analysis and preparedness: Identifying potential hazards, conducting risk assessments, and developing emergency plans.
- Information management: Efficiently disseminating information to visitors, organisers, security personnel and local residents.
- Safety and security measures: Implementation of general and specific safety guidelines, installation of barricades, and ensuring emergency medical services.
- Transportation and traffic management: Developing emergency transportation plans and effectively managing traffic flows.
How does this guide address the roles of different stakeholders?
The guide emphasises a stakeholder approach, involving local shops, residents, NGOs and the local administration in the planning and management process. An integrated control system is recommended to bring together agencies with different functional roles to work effectively without compromising individual accountability. This approach ensures that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and work towards a common goal.
According to the guide, what is the role of technology in crowd management?
This guide highlights the importance of modern technological tools and models for effective crowd management. It encourages the use of information and communication technology (ICT), geographic information systems (GIS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and UAVs for crowd monitoring and management. These technologies help in decision making, crowd simulation and real-time management during events.
What legal provisions are considered in the guide?
The guide collates existing legal provisions for crowd control and management, including the Disaster Management Act 2005, which defines disaster management as a continuous and integrated process involving prevention, mitigation, capacity building, preparedness, response and rehabilitation. It also references other relevant laws such as the Police Act 1861, the Kerala Police Act 2011 and the Cinematograph Act 1952.
How can stakeholders build capacity for crowd management?
The guide suggests a capacity building framework including research, education and training for all stakeholders involved in crowd management. It highlights the importance of continuous improvement through mock drills, audits, exercises and adoption of best practices from past experiences and theoretical inputs.
(with inputs from agencies)
