Sheer negligence – India’s shameful VIP culture, Pg 8

Context:

• A stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha on June 29, 2025, led to 3 deaths and over 50 injuries, exposing serious administrative lapses and the dangers of entrenched VIP culture at public religious events.

Key Highlights:

• Nine stampedes have occurred in India in the past 12 months, six of them at religious events.
• In Puri, the Rath Yatra procession faced an unprecedented rush, leading to crowd mismanagement.
• VIP access gates reportedly blocked common exit routes, aggravating congestion.
• 750 devotees were hospitalised due to heat stress, dehydration, and crowd fatigue.
• Entry of trucks for ritual materials triggered panic, injuring many devotees.
• Crowd management deficiencies persist across religious, political, and public events in India.

Detailed Insights:

• The Jagannath Rath Yatra, a centuries-old event attracting lakhs of devotees, demands robust planning.
• Despite being an annual affair, infrastructure and crowd management protocols remain outdated.
• VIP culture, prioritising privileged access over public safety, undermined traffic flow and worsened congestion.
• Use of a single corridor for both entry and exit violated basic crowd control principles.
• Lack of thermal comfort, hydration stations, and attention to vulnerable groups reflects planning apathy, especially during peak summer.
• The repeated failure to learn from past stampedes highlights systemic administrative negligence and poor risk assessment.

Way Forward

• End VIP Privileges: Eliminate preferential entry and access for VIPs at public events.
• Improve Crowd Management: Plan and monitor crowd flow, entry/exit points, and emergency protocols.
• Separate Entry/Exit Routes: Ensure distinct, well-marked paths for entry and exit to avoid congestion.
• Emergency Preparedness: Train staff and volunteers in crowd control, first aid, and evacuation.
• Weather-Proofing: Provide hydration, shade, and rest areas, especially during peak summer months.
• Restrict Vehicle Access: Limit vehicular movement in crowded zones, especially during events.
• Transparent Investigations: Hold officials accountable for negligence and security lapses.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Stampede Dynamics: Occurs when crowd density crosses a threshold (usually 4–6 people/m²), leading to unmanageable pressure and panic.
• Crowd Management: Encompasses entry/exit control, directional flow, early warning systems, medical preparedness, and trained personnel.
• Thermal Stress: Physical strain caused by excessive heat, particularly dangerous in crowded, poorly ventilated areas.