Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, to meet with the families of those killed in the Hathras stampede. The tragedy left 121 people dead, 19 of whom were from Hathras. Meanwhile, the wealth of Suraj Pal, also known as Bhole Baba, who has amassed assets worth ₹100 crores over the past two decades, is under scrutiny. Bhole Baba's wealth includes a five-star ashram in Mainpuri
► Assets worth ₹100 crores: Suraj Pal, known as Bhole Baba, has accumulated significant wealth over the past two decades.
► Luxury properties:
- A "five-star" ashram in Mainpuri, built on land worth ₹4 crore
- Multiple ashrams and hundreds of bighas of land in Kasganj, Agra, Kanpur, and Gwalior
► Expensive tastes: Owns a fleet of luxury cars, allegedly bought in devotees' names.
► Funding sources:
- claims not to accept donations, but donor names are visible on ashram walls.
- Donations range from cement bags to vehicles and cash.
► Investigation status:
- Six people arrested so far
- Bhole Baba is not named in the FIR, which holds organizers responsible.
- The police haven't ruled out taking him into custody.
► Bhole Baba's response:
- has not been seen in public since the tragedy.
- expressed condolences to the victims' families.
- blamed "anti-social elements" for the incident.
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Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district
A Journey of Solidarity
Gandhi's journey began early in the morning as he set out from Delhi by road, accompanied by key Congress party officials, including Ajay Rai, the State Congress chief, and Avinash Pande, the State Congress in-charge. The delegation's first stop was in Aligarh, where Gandhi met with the families of the 17 local victims before proceeding to Hathras.
Upon arriving in Pilakhna village, Aligarh, at approximately 7:15 a.m., Gandhi engaged in heartfelt conversations with the bereaved families. His presence seemed to offer some solace to those grappling with their sudden loss.
Gandhi's Message to the Nation
Speaking to the media after meeting the families, Gandhi shared his thoughts on the tragedy:
"It's a sad incident. Many people have lost their lives. I don't wish to say it through a political prism. However, there has been some negligence. It should be investigated. The most important thing is that these people should get compensation. I request the UP CM to provide them compensation with an open heart. They need it now; however, a delay in this won't be helpful. I talked to the families. I had a very personal conversation," said the Congress MP.
Political Implications and Demands
Gandhi's visit comes in the wake of separate trips made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak to Hathras. State Congress chief Ajay Rai had called the incident "a failure of the UP government." The Congress party has been outspoken in its criticism of the state government's handling of the crisis.
For more on Hathras Stampede, click UP Hathras Stampede Updates:CM Yogi Visits Victims Promises Judicial Inquiry , Kharge Calls For Safety Laws
The Congress has put forth demands for substantial compensation: ₹1 crore for the families of the deceased and ₹25 lakh for the injured. They have also called for a judicial inquiry to be conducted by a sitting High Court judge.
Looking Ahead
As Gandhi concluded his visit, many family members expressed appreciation for his presence and the assurances of support he offered. The tragedy has sparked a wider debate on crowd management and safety measures at large gatherings, with the Uttar Pradesh government forming a three-member judicial commission to investigate the incident, including the possibility of a conspiracy behind the stampede.
As the nation mourns this devastating loss of life, the focus now turns to supporting the affected families and preventing such tragedies in the future.
With inputs from agencies
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