Seven Dead, 39 Injured in Baghpat Temple Festival Tragedy
Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, January 28 – A tragic incident struck the Jain community’s annual "Laddu Mahotsav" in Baghpat’s Baraut town on Tuesday when a wooden structure at the Manastambh complex collapsed, killing seven people, including two girls, and injuring 39 others. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
The Incident
The wooden staircase of a 65-foot temporary platform gave way under the weight of a large crowd during the celebration of the Nirvana Kalyanak festival at the Shri Digambar Jain Degree College grounds. The event was held in honor of Lord Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos and panic as devotees fell from the platform and its surroundings. Police and rescue teams quickly responded, controlling the crowd and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. However, attendees expressed frustration over delays in medical assistance, with some injured being taken to hospitals on e-rickshaws due to a lack of ambulances.
Rescue and Investigation
District Magistrate Asmita Lal confirmed that the wooden structure collapsed due to overcrowding. “This festival has been organized here for over 30 years, but this time, the structure couldn’t bear the load,” she said. Authorities, including the police and disaster management teams, are continuing rescue operations and investigating the incident.
Additional District Magistrate Pankaj Verma stated, "Seven people have died, and 39 others are undergoing treatment." Legal action has been initiated against the event organizers.
Political and Public Response
The tragedy drew widespread criticism of the administration for alleged negligence. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. He assured that those affected would receive all necessary support.
Opposition parties criticized the state government’s handling of the situation. The Samajwadi Party (SP) alleged administrative failures and inadequate crowd management. “This is yet another instance of negligence under the BJP government,” SP said in a social media post.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary visited the site and the hospital, offering condolences and promising a thorough investigation. "This is a heartbreaking and tragic incident. We will ensure justice and support for the victims," Chaudhary said.
Community Reaction
The incident has left the local community in shock and mourning. Many criticized the lack of safety measures and proper disaster management planning. Devotees called for stricter guidelines and better infrastructure for managing large religious gatherings.
As investigations continue, authorities aim to identify accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future.
