Leaders Demand Action After Tirupati Stampede, Congress Calls for Probe

GG News Bureau
Tirupati, 10th Jan. The tragic stampede at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School in Tirupati, which resulted in six deaths and nearly 40 injuries, has triggered widespread political reaction. Senior YSRCP leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman B Karunakar Reddy has called for Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to take moral responsibility for the incident and initiate stringent action against the officials involved.

Speaking on the incident, Reddy stated, “The EO (Executive Officer), SP (Superintendent of Police), and TTD vigilance wing officials should be held accountable for the stampede. Immediate action should be taken against them.” He also demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 20 lakh for the injured.

The stampede occurred as hundreds of devotees jostled for tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, a significant event that attracts pilgrims to the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills. Devotees had gathered from across the country, making the event a focal point of tension.

Reddy, further criticizing the administration, said, “The inefficiency of the administration, which prioritizes political agendas over the needs of the devotees, led to this tragedy. This is reminiscent of the Godavari pushkaram tragedy during the previous TDP regime, which also claimed numerous lives.”

Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including Y S Sharmila, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president, have demanded an immediate investigation into the stampede. They also called for the government to provide relief to the affected families.

APCC vice president Kolanukonda Sivaji went a step further, demanding the resignation of TTD chairman B R Naidu and an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh to the families of the deceased.

A CPI(M) leader also joined in, blaming the government for its failure to make adequate arrangements. The leader stated, “Despite being aware of the large crowds that gather for Vaikunta Ekadasi every year, there was no proper planning. This tragedy is a direct result of the government’s incompetence.”

In response, TTD officials defended their preparations for the event, with Executive Officer J Syamala Rao stating that the incident occurred due to a mistake made by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who opened a gate without proper precautions. Rao also mentioned that a detailed inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the full cause of the incident.

In the aftermath, several ministers from the Andhra Pradesh government visited the families of the deceased at the Ruia Hospital mortuary, offering condolences and making arrangements to send the bodies back to their hometowns.

As of now, 20 devotees have been discharged from the hospital, while two to three remain under observation due to the severity of their injuries.