The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) expressed sadness over a devotee’s death in a stampede-like situation at the Rath Yatra festival in Puri. BJD president Naveen Patnaik conveyed condolences and prayed for the deceased devotee’s soul and the recovery of over a hundred injured devotees. The party emphasized the need for proper crowd management to prevent such incidents in the future.
The BJD highlighted the significance of the Rath Yatra as a major religious festival that draws devotees from India and abroad. The party lamented the unfortunate incident during this year’s festival, which saddened devotees of Lord Jagannath worldwide. Referring to media reports, the party confirmed one death and over 150 injuries during the Rath Yatra due to crowd-related incidents.
A devotee, identified as Anil Das from Keonjhar district, lost his life in a stampede-like situation during Lord Jagannath’s chariot procession. The BJD called for a thorough review of crowd management and safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Lenin Mohanty, the BJD’s Media Coordinator, offered condolences to the bereaved family and urged the government to provide necessary medical treatment and assistance to the affected devotees.
