Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister, Narottam Mishra, expressed sorrow over a tragic incident that occurred during the Kalash Yatra at the newly constructed Navagraha Shakti Peeth temple in Gwalior’s Dabra town. A woman lost her life, and six others, including a minor girl, were injured during the procession. Mishra, a trustee of the temple, visited the hospital to check on the injured women’s well-being.
The unfortunate event took place as the Kalash Yatra, where women carry sacred pots on their heads, was en route to the temple to kick off the consecration ritual. Mishra, who previously represented the Dabra Assembly constituency, attributed the incident to a crowd surge as numerous people, including women and children, had gathered for the event. He clarified that there was no stampede, just a rush of spectators eager to witness the ceremony.
Denying reports of a stampede, Mishra emphasized that the incident was a result of overcrowding rather than any chaotic situation. Video footage circulating on social media depicted individuals rushing injured persons to a hospital. The police managed the crowd effectively, ensuring the peaceful continuation of the Kalash Yatra to the Navagraha Shakti Peeth Temple.
Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan disclosed that the tragic event unfolded during the Kalash distribution, leading to a scuffle that resulted in the death of a 70-year-old woman. Several women, including a three-year-old girl, sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The consecration activities at the temple, which commenced on Tuesday, will span ten days, concluding on February 20, with anticipated visits from religious figures and politicians.
