By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Fate is Unchangeable, Indian Preacher Comments on Deadly Crush
An Indian preacher, Bhole Baba, who led an overcrowded gathering where 121 people were crushed to death, has expressed his deep disturbance over the tragedy but asserted that destiny cannot be altered. His comments to local journalists weeks after the crush in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, have sparked outrage across India.
"Who can change the inevitable? Everyone who enters this world has to leave one day. Only the time is uncertain," Bhole Baba stated.
The incident occurred in early July at a satsang, a Hindu religious gathering, where most of the victims were women. Police have arrested several event organizers, including a key aide to the preacher. However, Bhole Baba, a self styled godman, has not been named in the police case or questioned yet.
A special investigation team’s report to the Uttar Pradesh government blamed the event organizers and highlighted negligence by the police and local administration. It did not hold Bhole Baba accountable. Authorities had permitted an 80,000 person gathering, but approximately 250,000 attendees showed up. The police report noted that the crush happened when chaos ensued as people rushed to gather dust touched by Bhole Baba’s feet as he was leaving.
In his comments to reporters, Bhole Baba denied responsibility, repeating unproven allegations made by his lawyer that "poisonous gas had been sprayed at the gathering" and that there was a "conspiracy to tarnish" his reputation. His lawyer had earlier claimed that the preacher was not responsible for the tragedy, attributing the crush to "anti social elements."
Families of the victims have blamed the preacher and demanded his arrest. Many social media users have also expressed their anger over his recent comments, with some calling for his detainment.
"Bhole Baba might be right in a way, but who caused the deaths?" one user questioned on X (formerly Twitter). Another pointed out that the police had not filed a case against the guru nor questioned him about the incident, adding, "100% scot free. Will likely do another satsang soon."
Bhole Baba, originally named Suraj Pal, reportedly re christened himself Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari. Details about his life are sketchy, but he is believed to have been a former constable in the Uttar Pradesh police force before becoming a religious preacher. He has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers in Hathras and neighboring districts, but his life and assets have come under scrutiny following the deadly crush.
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