Editorial: Avoidable Tragedy

Apart from exposing glaring gaps in crowd management strategies, such tragedies also raise questions over the accountability of the organisers in ensuring public safety

The death of over 39 people in a stampede at a political rally of actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur is yet another stark reminder of the flaws in India’s crowd management strategies. The Karur tragedy could have been avoided with better planning, sufficient security, and better coordination between the organisers and the local administration. The organisers had announced that Vijay would address the rally, organised as part of the State-wide tour, at 12 noon. The crowd began to assemble from 9 am, but he did not arrive until late in the evening. By then, the crowd had surged to an unmanageable proportion. The trouble began when people jostled and pushed to have a glimpse of the star, leading to the stampede that resulted in the death of 39 people, including 16 women and six children, and injuries to over 110 people. This was not the first time that such a tragedy struck a public gathering. Unfortunately, the authorities have not learned lessons from earlier mishaps. On their part, political parties and organisations must prioritise the safety of attendees when planning such events, ensuring adequate medical emergency services, police arrangements, clear exit routes, and effective crowd control measures. The State-wide rallies of the popular star have been attracting massive crowds, mostly his fans eager to see him in his new avatar. Vijay is the latest in a series of icons who blended tinsel glamour with the promise of a new brand of politics. His public meetings have acquired an aura of blockbuster releases.

Though the police permission was for only about 10,000 people, tens of thousands filled the ground, and the number exceeded 30,000 when the tragedy struck. Apart from exposing glaring gaps in crowd management strategies, such tragedies also raise questions over the accountability of the organisers in ensuring public safety. During this year so far, over 80 people have lost their lives in stampedes at public events, temples, railway stations, and at the Maha Kumbh, among others. In June this year, at least 11 people died in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the celebration of the RCB team’s maiden IPL win in 18 years. At least 18 people, most of them Maha Kumbh pilgrims, were killed and more than a dozen were injured in a stampede that broke out at the New Delhi Railway Station in February this year. In a pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya in January, over 30 people lost their lives. At least six devotees died, and dozens were injured in a stampede at the Tirumala temple in January. Time and again, India’s administrators have failed to learn from past tragedies — from religious stampedes to election rallies. A familiar pattern has emerged now: a tragic incident, a magisterial inquiry, ex gratia announcements, political blame game and then silence.

---