The curious case of Hathras stampede

The report of the judicial commission that probed the stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras last year is curious: There is a clear and justified inculpation of the local civil and police authorities, but absolution of Suraj Pal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari and Bhole Baba, the godman at whose satsang, a sudden stampede left 121 people dead on July 2 last year.

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The local administration certainly must shoulder part of the blame, and the report thoroughly discusses its lapses. From an uncharacteristically expedited grant of permission to failure to inspect the site before allowing the gathering to happen, the administration must answer for several instances of dereliction.