Over 116 people died and several others were injured in a stampede at a spiritual congregation in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras on Tuesday. The congregation was organised by Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavana Samagam Committee and was being led by a spiritual leader who is known as Bhole Baba aka Narayan Sakar Hari in Hathras’ Phulrai Mugalgadhi village.
The stampede broke out during the religious programme for which the organisers had obtained permission but the arrangements were insufficient, News18 has learned.
The stampede apparently occurred due to overcrowding, Sikandra Rao police station SHO Ashish Kumar also said earlier in the day while speaking to media outlets.
The event saw a large gathering of people and the event’s posters were also displayed in various places in Hathras, attracting more visitors to the event. The poster names Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavana Samagam Committee and several others as organisers.
The spiritual leader Bhole Baba, aka Narayan Sakar Hari, is from Patiyali in Etah and the stampede broke out during the ‘satsang’ event that he held.
Unlike other godmen and godwomen, who are often seen donning saffron, Narayan Saakar Hari who also has the alias ‘Sakar Vishwa Hari Baba of Patiali’ is seen decked in white dress. His events usually attract hundreds of followers. He also is seen preaching with his wife.
He said he quit his job to begin his spiritual journey as a preacher after retiring as a cop.