The Tirumala temple has always been beset by political narratives which comes up every few months. But for the first time, the temple and its TTD, are witnessing a tragedy of a scale they are alien to.
Lakhs of devotees throng the Tirumala temple—the hilly abode of Lord Venkateshwara—every month, making their way through the Tirupati town opting for different kind of darshan. However, as far as the locals of Tirupati remember, never did they witness a stampede that claimed the lives of devotees. On Wednesday, six people died, majority of them women, in the chaos that ensued at the area where people were waiting to collect free tickets for darshan.
ALSO READ: What caused the Tirupati stampede
Vykunta Ekadasi, which falls around Sankranthi festival, is treated as an auspicious occasion by many believers in south India. Every year, the TTD issues a certain number of free tickets for darshan at Tirumala temple. This year, the TTD decided to issue 1.2 lakh tickets through 94 counters at eight places in Tirupati town and one location in Tirumala. The darshan tickets was for January 10, 11 and 12. At two locations yesterday, all hell broke loose when devotees found themselves in the midst of a stampede as a section of crowds surged towards the counters. Scores were injured and had to be transported to nearby hospitals.
Three Dead in Tirupati Stampede
— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) January 8, 2025
Stampede at Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati Claims Three Lives
Chaos erupted at Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati during the distribution of Vaikunthadwara Sarvadarshanam tokens, leading to a deadly stampede.
A massive rush of devotees attempting to secure… pic.twitter.com/IF49Vi38GM
Heart-wrenching visuals went viral showing unconscious people being carried away or being administered medical help right on the road. The eyewitnesses and locals directed their ire at police officials and TTD staff for failing to maintain order citing previous instances when no such untoward incidents were recorded. FIRs have been filed for the incidents which took place near Ramanaidu school and Vishnunivasam centre. Officials claim that a woman was who fainted, was being taken out for help when crowd rushed in thinking that gates were opened.
Whatever the circumstances, questions are being raised regarding the coordination between TTD, police officials and district administration on ground. There were complaints by victims and their families that police personnel deployed were inadequate or did not react quickly to help. Health Minister Sathya Kumar, representing the coalition government of TDP-BJP-JSP, visited the injured in the hospital and assured that steps would be taken to ensure such tragic incidents are not repeated. The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased.
Among the dead were devotees from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Lavanya’s family from Vizag told the media that she never missed an opportunity to travel to temples and such an incident has shaken them.
A visibly angry CM travelled to the site of stampede where he pulled up officials seeking explanation on various aspects of the incident. “How did this happen? You have to answer. When you have taken the responsibilities, it is your duty to fulfil it.” He was seen giving a stern warning to the officials. He was accompanied by the district collector, police officers, TTD EO Shyamala Rao and ministers. The TTD EO and government sources are blaming a senior police official of the district for opening the gate irresponsibly leading to the tragedy. Naidu later proceeded to meet the injured and consoled them.
The opposition party, YSRCP, has flayed the government alleging that the TTD has turned into “political hub”.
