The recent SIT report on the Hathras stampede, which left 121 people dead, hints at a “major conspiracy” while holding the event organizer and local police and administration responsible. Yet, the glaring omission of self-styled godman Surajpal, known as “Bhole Baba” among his Dalit devotees, raises significant questions about the integrity of the investigation.
Despite the SIT serving a notice to Surajpal’s Mainpuri ashram, he has yet to respond or be questioned. This silence is deafening, especially when contrasted with the vocal demands from various political parties. The BSP and Congress have been the most adamant, with BSP president Mayawati criticizing the state government’s negligence and the SIT’s apparent political motivations. Meanwhile, UP Congress president Ajay Rai questioned the exclusion of Surajpal from the investigation, highlighting the oddity of only holding the organizers accountable when the event centered around Surajpal.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the “conspiracy angle” and stated it required investigation, yet he refrained from naming Surajpal directly, instead referring to him as “sajjan” in his statements. This cautious approach was echoed by the BJP and SP, who have been reticent in pointing fingers at Surajpal, likely due to the complex political landscape and caste loyalties in Uttar Pradesh. The political undertones were further highlighted by the viral video of SP president Akhilesh Yadav at one of Surajpal’s events, which Adityanath seemed to reference indirectly.
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The police have also suggested a political link, claiming that Devprakash Madhukar, the main accused and Surajpal’s confidant, raised funds from political parties. However, the local administration’s accountability cannot be ignored, as they were responsible for managing the crowd, which they failed to do.
The SP’s ally Congress has also questioned the omission of Surajpal from the report, pointing out the inconsistency in only blaming the organizers. This sentiment is shared by SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, who asserted that the administration and government are solely responsible for the deaths. The SIT’s 855-page report blamed the local administration and police officials for negligence and accused the organizers and Surajpal’s security team of mismanaging the crowd. However, the lack of direct action against Surajpal raises concerns about political influence over the investigation.
The Hathras stampede tragedy and its investigation underscore the need for a transparent and unbiased approach to justice. The political maneuvering surrounding the incident detracts from addressing the root causes and ensuring accountability. The SIT’s failure to adequately question Surajpal, despite clear indications of his involvement, suggests a politically motivated reluctance to hold all responsible parties accountable.