Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi has publicly taken responsibility for the stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri that claimed three lives and left at least 10 others injured. Calling it an outcome of “unforgivable negligence,” the Chief Minister said a full investigation has been ordered and directed that “exemplary action” be taken against those responsible for the security failure.
In a post on X, CM Manjhi wrote, “Due to the intense eagerness among devotees to have a glimpse of Mahaprabhu at Sharadhabali, an unfortunate incident occurred because of the resulting jostling and chaos. Personally, I and my government seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees.” He also expressed condolences to the bereaved families, praying for strength for them to bear the loss.
ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପ୍ରବଳ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠା ଜନିତ ଠେଲାପେଲା କାରଣରୁ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଘଟଣ ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଭାବେ ମୁଁ ଏବଂ ମୋ ସରକାର ସମସ୍ତ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥପ୍ରେମୀଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ଷମା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛୁ। ଯେଉଁ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କର ଜୀବନଦୀପ ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ଲିଭିଯାଇଛି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା…
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 29, 2025
Naveen Patnaik Slams Government’s “Glaring Incompetence”
The tragedy sparked sharp political backlash with former Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik criticising the BJP-led state government for its handling of the event. “Eyewitnesses report that the initial response to this horrific tragedy came from the devotees’ relatives, with no government machinery present to manage the surging crowds,” Patnaik said, accusing the administration of a shocking lapse in duty.
ALSO READ: Stampede during Rath Yatra in Puri claims three lives
He also questioned the delay in the Yatra’s proceedings, which was attributed by the administration to “Mahaprabhu’s wish.” “A shocking excuse that masks the administration’s complete abdication of responsibility,” he added.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, #Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident.
Today’s stampede,…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 29, 2025
Patnaik urged the government to take immediate corrective steps to ensure smooth conduct of upcoming Rath Yatra rituals like Adapa Bije, Bahuda, and Suna Besha.
Three Dead, 10 Injured as Crowd Spirals Out of Control
The incident occurred early Saturday morning near the Gundicha Temple, around 3 km from the Jagannath Temple, where the annual Rath Yatra began. As the three chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra reached the temple around 4:30 am, the crowd swelled dramatically. In the ensuing chaos, some people reportedly fell, triggering a stampede.
The deceased have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakant Mohanty, all from Khurda district. The bodies have been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
ALSO READ: Rath Yatra: 15 fascinating facts about the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain claimed that adequate security was in place, but the crowd “suddenly went out of control,” leading to the tragic outcome.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is among the largest religious gatherings in India. During the festival, the three deities are taken in grand chariots to the Gundicha Temple, where they remain for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple in a procession known as Bahuda Yatra.
