Bhubaneswar: Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has taken cognisance of the two deaths and 78 injuries reported during Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16 and sought a factual report from the state govt on the circumstances leading to the incident. A sudden crowd surge reportedly triggered panic among devotees, leading to the incident at Marichikote Square on Bada Danda during Pahandi procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.The commission, acting on a petition filed by advocate Nishikanta Mishra, has directed the principal secretary of the home department, secretary of health and family welfare department, DGP, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri collector and superintendent of police to submit reports on the details of the crowd management plan, deployment of personnel, emergency preparedness and medical arrangements. It has also asked the authorities to spell out corrective measures, if any, taken after the stampede-like situation during the 2025 Rath Yatra, in which three devotees died and around 50 were injured near Gundicha Temple.The commission’s notice has also brought renewed focus on the safety of the devotees during mega religious gatherings.The commission has further recommended the initiation of departmental and legal proceedings against officials whose negligence, omission or failure of duty contributed to the deaths and injuries. It also recommended adequate compensation, comprehensive medical treatment, rehabilitation and other necessary assistance to the families of the deceased and injured victims.Calling for long-term corrective measures, the OHRC recommended the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive scientific crowd management and devotee safety protocol for Rath Yatra and other major religious congregations in Odisha.The commission also directed the govt to ensure steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during Bahuda Yatra.
