Negligence, mismanagement that led to Puri temple stampede inexcusable: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president
Mallikarjun Kharge
on Sunday said he was deeply pained by the stampede near a temple in
Odisha
's Puri, and asserted that the "
negligence and mismanagement
" which led to the tragedy are inexcusable.
At least three persons, including two women, were killed and around 50 others injured in the stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple on Sunday morning, officials said.
"I am deeply pained by the stampede during the
Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra
, which claimed three lives and injured at least 50 people. This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured devotees. The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable," Kharge said in a post on X.
The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness Rath Yatra festivities, Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain said.
Live Events
The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital, and the condition of six people is critical, he said.
"The state government and authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the grave lapses that caused this incident. Ensuring
public safety
and effective
crowd management
is paramount, especially during pre-planned festivities. Those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable under the law," Kharge said.
The
Congress Party
stands in solidarity with the devotees and commits to supporting all efforts to provide relief, medical assistance, and aid to the affected families, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
32 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Speculation on leadership change in Karnataka surfaces again
The internal bickering in the Congress seems to be only increasing. The party, which is still smarting from the embarrassment caused by its legislators who spoke of a lack of development and alleged corruption in the Housing Department, found itself in the spotlight again as Ramanagara legislator H.A. Iqbal Hussain on Sunday reignited the issue of change of guard in the government. While Mr. Hussain, a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, indicated that Mr. Shivakumar could get the chance at becoming the Chief Minister in the next two to three months, Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, seen in the Chief Minister's inner circle, clarified that there was no confusion on the Chief Minister's position and that Mr. Siddaramaiah would complete the full term. 'I do not believe in rumours. We are confident that Mr. Shivakumar will get the opportunity (to become the Chief Minister),' Mr. Hussain told reporters in Ramanagara. When asked if Mr. Shivakumar would become the Chief Minister this year, he said: 'I am saying that the date given for a revolutionary political change (in September, by Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna) is the same. A decision would be arrived at in the next two to three months.' When his attention was drawn to Mr. Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra, a MLC, claiming that the change of leadership was only a speculation, the Ramanagara legislator said an agreement had been reached when the Chief Minister was chosen in 2023. 'Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge decided on it (Chief Minister's post). Everyone knows about it (rotation of tenure). We were all there in Delhi. At an appropriate time, the high command will take appropriate decision. We will have to wait and I am confident that he (Mr. Shivakumar) will be given the opportunity.' Mr. Hussain's comment is being seen as response to Mr. Rajanna's statement on a revolutionary political change in September — possibly hinting at change of KPCC president — last week, and his remarks are being viewed as hitting back at the Chief Minister's camp. In Mysuru, Dr. Mahadevappa claimed that there was no confusion over the post of the Chief Minister, and that Mr. Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the Dasara festival in September. He said Mr. Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister and the party will complete its full term. On Mr. Hussain's claim of an agreement to make Mr. Shivakumar as the Chief Minister in the coming months, Dr. Mahadevappa said he had no information about such an agreement and said the reports about such an agreement could only be speculative. On the remarks of a possible revolution in three months, he said the MLAs themselves should be asked about their perception of revolution. 'Some legislators keep making statements as per their convenience. Revolutions will always be taking place to protect democracy and the Constitution,' he said.
New Indian Express
37 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Congress slams Centre over Indian defence attache's 'lost jets due to imposed constraints' remark
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday cited the reported comments of India's defence attache to Indonesia that the Indian Air Force lost fighter jets to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and accused the government of having "misled" the country. The party also asked why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi "refusing" to preside over an all-party meeting to take the Opposition into confidence and why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a media report on X which quoted Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar, speaking at a seminar in Indonesia recently, that the Indian Air Force lost fighter jets to Pakistan on the night of May 7, 2025 during its targeting of terror-linked sites in Pakistan. Kumar's remarks in the media report could not be independently verified and there was no immediate reaction from the government or the defence establishment on it. "First the Chief of Defence Staff makes important revelations in Singapore. Then a senior defence official follows up from Indonesia," Ramesh said in his post on X. "But why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting and take the Opposition into confidence? Why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected?" he said.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Quoted out of context': India clarifies defence attaché's remarks on Operation Sindoor, 'misrepresentation of intention'
NEW DELHI: The Indian Embassy in Indonesia on Sunday clarified that media reports had "quoted out of context" remarks made by Defence Attaché Captain Shiv Kumar during a seminar on Operation Sindoor . Captain Shiv Kumar had outlined the Indian military's initial response during the early stages of Operation Sindoor while speaking at a seminar hosted by an Indonesian university. In a statement posted on X, the embassy clarified that the officer's remarks were 'quoted out of context' and that media coverage had misrepresented the intent and focus of the presentation. 'We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by India's defence attaché to Indonesia at a seminar. His remarks have been quoted out of context, and the media reports are a misrepresentation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker,' the embassy said. According to the clarification, the presentation highlighted a key tenet of India's civil-military structure, that the Indian Armed Forces operate under the authority of civilian political leadership. It pointedly noted this contrasts with practices in 'some other countries in our neighbourhood'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors All Over America Are Rushing to Buy This Camera Secret Scope Camera Learn More Undo The embassy further said that the officer had referred to Operation Sindoor, explaining that the objective was to target terrorist infrastructure, and that India's military response was non-escalatory. Earlier in the day, Congress had cited the reported comments of India's defence attache to Indonesia and accused the government of having "misled" the country. The party also asked why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi "refusing" to preside over an all-party meeting to take the Opposition into confidence and why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected.
