Safety is not a priority
The statistic that India is arguably the country with the highest number of stampedes is nothing to be proud about (Front page, June 30). Whether it be the stampede on Sunday during the Rath Yatra in Puri or the promotional event for the film, Pushpa 2, or the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in 2013, or in Sabarimala in 2011, they all point to a recurring pattern of negligence, mismanagement and inadequate planning. That such accidents recur, despite clear guidelines by the National Disaster Management Authority, implies that the authorities in India do not prioritise crowd safety with actionable measures. Nor do they learn from such ghastly incidents. Officials need to take a serious look at ensuring the safety of India’s citizens.
Thomas Palocaren,
Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Published – July 01, 2025 12:24 am IST