Leaders Express Grief After 9 Killed in Stampede at Andhra Pradesh’s Venkateswara Swamy Temple

The Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam district saw a stampede on Saturday that left at least nine people—eight women and a boy—dead and numerous others injured. Reactions to the tragic incident pour in.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 2,000 to the injured.

In a post on X, he wrote, "It is purely an accident and due to the owner's negligence. They haven't applied for police bandobust, there were no permissions also."

He added, "Pained by the stampede in Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed shock over the incident according to PTI.

Opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi took to X, "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My heart goes out to the bereaved families and all those injured. I hope they find strength and recover soon."

Additonaly he urged the Government of Andhra Pradesh to mobilise every resource for relief and to engage with the victims’ families with empathy, dignity, and speed.

"I also appeal to our Congress leaders and workers in the region to assist in relief work, and support the grieving," he added.

Congress President Kharge wrote, "Deeply pained by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and our thoughts are with the injured."

He emphasised that crowd management guidelines are imperative.

"Andhra Pradesh government must immediately provide adequate and timely compensation, as well as support to the affected families. Congress leaders and workers must extend all possible help and stand by the grieving families during this difficult time," he added.

Chief Minister H. Chandrababu Naidu claimed, “An individual constructed Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga. A lot of devotees went there to have darshan on the occasion of the auspicious Kartika masam (month). He did not inform the police. Had he informed in advance, police protection would have been provided and controlled the crowd".

"It is really painful.. I'm strongly condemning it. Innocent people lost their lives. We will take this incident seriously. Whoever is responsible, they will be taken into custody and a full-pledged inquiry will be conducted,” Naidu said.

The CM alleged that the tragedy took place due to a lack of orderliness and discipline. Naidu gave officials instructions to make sure the injured received adequate care. Additionally, he gave local leaders and authorities instructions to keep an eye on the relief efforts at the stampede scene.

Slamming CM Naidu for negligence, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote on X, "It seems as though Naidu declares his greatness every day, claiming no one surpasses him in governance, but on one side, these boasts are visible, while on the other, his horrific failures in administration are equally apparent. The stampede that occurred at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, is yet another result of the government's failure."

He charged, "This isn't the first time such incidents have happened in temples since Chandrababu garu's government came to power. During Vaikuntha Ekadashi, for the first time in history, a stampede in Tirupati claimed the lives of 6 devotees, and in the accident at Simhachalam, 7 people died. Yet, instead of learning lessons from these events, the government is sleeping soundly. Now, once again, 9 people have died in the Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple."

Reddy demanded the government provide Rs. 25 lakhs in compensation to the families of the deceased.

With PTI inputs.