A tragic Hathras stampede at a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh Hathras has resulted in the death of over 100 people and left many others injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday during an event organized by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavana Samagam Committee, held in Phulrai Mugalgadhi village.
The congregation was led by a spiritual leader known as Bhole Baba, whose real name is Narayan Sakar Hari. A video circulating on social media shows Hari leaving the event in his car, with hundreds of devotees running behind him to collect the dust from his vehicle as a token of blessing.
Bhole Baba, also known as Suraj Pal, has a history of legal issues, including multiple allegations of sexual assault. These cases have been filed across various locations such as Agra, Etawah, Kasganj, Farrukhabad, and Rajasthan.
In response to the stampede, the Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against the event organizers, accusing them of concealing evidence and violating conditions. The Hathras Stampede saw an attendance of 2.5 lakh people, far exceeding the permitted limit of 80,000. This is not the first time Bhole Baba’s events have breached regulations. In 2022, he organized a similar gathering in Farrukhabad despite rising COVID-19 cases. The district administration had allowed only 50 people, but over 50,000 attendees caused significant traffic disruptions.
Born in Bahadur Nagar, Suraj Pal initially worked in the police department before facing legal troubles in 1997 due to sexual assault allegations, for which he served time in prison. After his release, he transformed himself into “Saakar Vishwa Hari Baba” and began attracting followers to his ashram in his ancestral village.
Unlike many other spiritual leaders who wear saffron robes, Hari, also known as “Sakar Vishwa Hari Baba of Patiali,” is often seen in white attire. His events typically draw large crowds, and he is known for preaching alongside his wife.