As the booths for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills opened, hundreds of devotees raced to acquire their tickets, causing a stampede in Tirupati that resulted in up to six fatalities and forty injuries.
The stampede started as the DSP opened the gates, according to BR Naidu, chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Beginning on January 10, thousands of devotees from all over the nation will gather for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
According to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, he has ordered higher-ranking authorities to travel to Tirupati, execute the necessary relief actions, and improve medical care. He added that in order to assess the situation, he is also speaking with TTD and district officials. CM Naidu said that the stampede in Tirupati has shocked him.
On CM Naidu’s directives, Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, and Home Minister Anitha would travel to Tirupati to speak with the victims’ relatives and take the required actions, he said.
“Every other counter, with the exception of the one at MGM School, was in a peaceful state,” Tirupati Municipal Commissioner Mourya stated, adding that between 4,000 and 5,000 people rushed at once to obtain their tickets, causing a stampede. According to Mourya, the situation is under control.
“To distribute tokens for ‘Ekadasi Darshan’, we opened 91 counters…it is unfortunate that the stampede happened. Six devotees have died and 40 have sustained injuries, we are providing the best medical facilities possible to them. This has never happened in TTD history. I sincerely seek apology from the devotees. We will conduct an inquiry and take serious action,” said TTD board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy.
Out of the six devotees who died, one body has been identified. The chief minister held a teleconference to voice his displeasure with the temple staff and referred to the occurrence as regrettable, according to TTD Chairman BR Naidu. He stated that CM Naidu is anticipated to arrive in Tirupati today.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, calling the stampede ‘deeply saddening’ urged Congress workers to provide all possible assistance. “The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time,” he said in a social media post.
