NEW DELHI, Feb 2: On Monday, the Supreme Court is set to discuss a petition that calls for the establishment of specific guidelines and regulations to guarantee the safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh festival, where a tragic stampede on January 29 resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals and injuries to 60 others.
According to the cause list for February 3 posted on the Supreme Court’s website, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar is scheduled to hear the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) presented by advocate Vishal Tiwari.
The petition aims to avert future stampede situations and to safeguard the fundamental rights to equality and life as stipulated in Article 21 of the Constitution.
It has involved the Centre and all state governments as parties, requesting a directive for collaborative efforts in providing a safe environment for pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh.
The petition advocates for the establishment of facilitation centers in Prayagraj across all states to disseminate safety information and assist residents in emergencies.
It also emphasizes the necessity for signage and announcements in multiple languages to facilitate smoother navigation for pilgrims during the event.
“All states should set up their facilitation centers at the Maha Kumbh effectively. These centers should display essential safety measures and guidelines for attendees from their respective states. In emergencies, these centers must be equipped to offer assistance,” the petition stated.
Furthermore, it suggested utilizing SMS and WhatsApp to share safety protocols with attendees.
The plea highlighted a critical need for cooperation between the Uttar Pradesh government and other states to ensure adequate medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, are available at the event.
Additionally, it called for the regulation of VIP movement, prioritizing public safety over VIP protocols to avoid crowding and facilitate smooth movement.
The petitioner has requested the Supreme Court to instruct the Uttar Pradesh government to provide a status report on the stampede and initiate legal measures against those accountable for negligence.
The incident occurred on January 29 during Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant days in the Hindu calendar.
The petition referenced multiple past stampede occurrences at religious events, stressing the urgency of preventative safety strategies. It noted a catastrophic incident in 1954, where over 800 people died due to overcrowding on a narrow bridge at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
In 1986, approximately 200 individuals died in a stampede caused by restricted access during the Kumbh in Haridwar, while in 2003, 39 deaths and over 140 injuries were reported during a similar event in Nashik.
The Kumbh Mela stands as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, rotating between four major locations: Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), and Nashik (Maharashtra).
In light of the substantial influx of pilgrims from various states, the petition underscores the importance of shared responsibility in ensuring effective crowd management, medical support, transport, and security. (AGENCIES)
