In a deeply unsettling turn of events during the sacred Ratha Jatra in Puri, three lives were lost and several others injured in a stampede near the Gundicha temple in the early hours of Sunday.
The incident, which unfolded amidst a dense gathering of devotees, has sparked a political firestorm in the state, with Leader of Opposition and BJD President Naveen Patnaik holding the Odisha Government responsible for the tragedy.
Calling it a “glaring example of administrative failure,” Patnaik expressed condolences to the bereaved families and demanded immediate remedial actions. “Today’s stampede, following the crowd mismanagement on Rath Yatra day that injured hundreds, proves the government’s shocking abdication of responsibility,” he stated.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, #Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident.
Today’s stampede,…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 29, 2025
According to eyewitnesses, the chaos broke out when a truck carrying wooden logs entered the Saradhabali area where devotees were seated on plastic mats. As workers began unloading in the narrow space, panic ensued, and people were trampled amid the confusion. The response, as per onlookers, came primarily from civilians, not from official emergency teams.
Patnaik also took aim at the administration for citing “Mahaprabhu’s wish” as an excuse for delayed rituals and inefficient crowd control. “Such statements reflect total disregard for public safety,” he said.
In addition to demanding swift action for upcoming events like Adapa Bije and Bahuda Yatra, Patnaik called for an urgent inquiry into the lapses and a long-term crowd management overhaul.
As Odisha mourns the loss of lives in one of its most cherished religious events, questions loom over governance, safety infrastructure, and accountability at mass public gatherings.
