In a heartfelt statement on Sunday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow and extended an unconditional apology following the tragic incident during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri.
The mishap, reportedly caused by massive crowd pressure and poor crowd control near Sradhabali, led to multiple casualties and injuries.
“On behalf of my government and myself, I seek forgiveness from all devotees of Lord Jagannath. The incident is deeply unfortunate, and our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones,” the Chief Minister said.
ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପ୍ରବଳ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠା ଜନିତ ଠେଲାପେଲା କାରଣରୁ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଘଟଣ ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଭାବେ ମୁଁ ଏବଂ ମୋ ସରକାର ସମସ୍ତ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥପ୍ରେମୀଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ଷମା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛୁ। ଯେଉଁ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କର ଜୀବନଦୀପ ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ଲିଭିଯାଇଛି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା…
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 29, 2025
He further called the tragedy “unforgivable” and confirmed that an immediate investigation has been ordered into the security lapses. The CM assured that “exemplary action will be taken against those responsible.”
The annual Rath Yatra in Puri is one of the largest religious gatherings in India, drawing lakhs of devotees from around the world. While the spiritual fervour of the occasion remained high, questions are now being raised over crowd management and emergency preparedness.
Political leaders across parties and civil society members have urged the government to conduct a transparent inquiry and ensure such lapses do not recur.
As Odisha mourns, prayers continue for the deceased and their grieving families, while the administration faces calls for greater accountability.
