- Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the death of a devotee during Bahuda Yatra.
- He questioned why crowd-related incidents continue to occur during Rath Yatra every year.
- The BJD chief urged the government to ensure safe conduct of Suna Besha and Niladri Bije.
BHUBANESWAR: Naveen Patnaik on Bahuda Yatra stampede issue intensified on Friday after the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president criticised the Odisha government over the death of a devotee and injuries caused by a crowd surge during the Bahuda Yatra in Puri. Calling the incident deeply disturbing, the Leader of the Opposition said recurring accidents during the annual Rath Yatra point to serious shortcomings in crowd management and event planning.
The latest criticism comes as thousands of devotees continue to arrive in Puri for the remaining Rath Yatra rituals, placing renewed focus on public safety and administrative preparedness.
Naveen Patnaik on Bahuda Yatra Stampede Raises Questions Over Crowd Management
Patnaik expressed condolences to the family of the deceased devotee and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident. He said repeated mishaps during the Rath Yatra should prompt authorities to review and strengthen safety measures instead of relying on temporary responses.
The former Chief Minister questioned why similar incidents continue to occur despite previous experiences. He alleged that the state government had failed to learn from past shortcomings and had not given adequate priority to ensuring the safe completion of Lord Jagannath’s nine-day annual festival.
According to Patnaik, effective planning and preventive measures are essential for an event that attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country.
Opposition Seeks Greater Safety Ahead of Suna Besha
The BJD chief said recurring accidents not only put lives at risk but also affect Odisha’s reputation as the host of one of the world’s largest religious festivals. He urged the government to strengthen crowd regulation, emergency response and coordination among agencies responsible for managing the festival.
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାହୁଡା଼ ଯାତ୍ରାରେ ଦଳାଚକଟା ଯୋଗୁଁ ଜଣେ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଳୁଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାଣହାନୀ ଓ ଅନେକ ଆହତ ହୋଇଥିବା ବିଷୟ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ। ମୃତକଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ସଦସ୍ୟଙ୍କୁ ଗଭୀର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଆହତଙ୍କ ଆଶୁଆରୋଗ୍ୟ କାମନା କରୁଛି।
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 25, 2026
ହେଲେ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ସମୟରେ ବାରମ୍ବାର ଏଭଳି ଅଘଟଣ ଘଟୁଛି କଣ ପାଇଁ? ସରକାର ଏତେ ଖାମଖିଆଲି…
Naveen Patnaik on Bahuda Yatra Stampede Calls for Better Preparedness
Patnaik appealed to the state administration to take extra precautions during the remaining Rath Yatra events, including Suna Besha and Niladri Bije. He said every effort should be made to ensure devotees can participate in the rituals safely and that no further disruptions or loss of life occur during the concluding ceremonies.
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