Week After Hathras Stampede, Hundreds Of Followers Throng To Bhole Baba Satsangs

Lucknow: The July 2 stampede in Hathras, which claimed 121 lives, has not deterred scores of followers from flocking to the 'Satsang' of Suraj Pal, also known as Bhole Baba, according to reports. The Tuesday 'Satsang' of Bhole Baba saw nearly 200 followers visiting the Mainpuri ashram of the self-styled godman. As per reports, several followers gathered in Mainpuri's Bichwan town where the baba is believed to be camping since the tragic incident.

However, the police have denied the baba's presence and stopped the followers from entering the palatial ashram where the baba is believed to be staying. Downplaying the incident, the Superintendent of Police (City) Rahul Mithas told reporters that the followers returned peacefully after raising slogans and offering prayers in front of the ashram. The top cop further added that it was not the police but the ashram's sevadars who stopped people from entering.

The footfall levels have drastically increased in other places, including Baba's residence in Agra, according to several reports. Despite the house in Agra's Kedar Nagar locality being closed for over two decades, women turned up in large numbers, praying and leaving from outside the gate on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended at least six officials in connection with the Hathras stampede following an SIT report that claimed that permission for the event was given without proper inspection. The report held the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and a Circle Officer responsible. The team, led by ADG Zone Agra and Commissioner Aligarh, conducted an exhaustive probe that included visiting the site on July 2, 3 and 5 and going through several sources like news articles.