Surajpal Singh's Clean Chit In Hathras Stampede Sparks Controversy And Political Debate

Questions are being raised about the clean chit given to Surajpal Singh, also known as 'Bhole Baba' or Narayan Sakar Hari, in the SIT investigation of the stampede during a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. BSP chief Mayawati has directly called it 'politically motivated'.

A suspended official who has been held responsible for the incident based on the SIT report has also claimed that Surajpal has been given a clean chit. What allegations has Mayawati made against the Yogi government?

BSP President Mayawati wrote on X, "'The report submitted by the SIT to the government appears to be more politically motivated than according to the seriousness of the incident, which is extremely sad.'"

Referring to the tragic death of 121 innocent women and children in the Hathras incident, she further alleged negligence on the part of the government, "The silence of the SIT regarding the role of 'Bhole Baba', the main organiser of this life-threatening incident, is also a cause of concern among the people. Also, the attempt to give him a clean chit instead of taking strict action against him is a matter of serious discussion."

Based on the 300-page report of the two-member SIT set up by the Uttar Pradesh government regarding this stampede incident on July 2, 6 officials have been suspended. In its report, the SIT has held the organisers (servants) of the religious gathering and the negligence of the local administration responsible for the accident.

According to a TOI report, an official suspended for the incident said, "The SIT report has definitely given 'Bhole Baba' a clean chit in the incident. Action has been taken against officials and organisers (mostly servants (volunteers) who have been arrested)'.

Impact on Dalit Vote Bank

Regarding Surajpal being saved so far in the Hathras incident, another senior officer who was suspended claimed, "Bhole Baba has a lot of influence in the Dalit community.... There may be some concerns in taking action against him. Apart from this, there is also a possibility of peace being disturbed due to action against Baba. So far, no charges have been filed against him."

The BJP's performance in Uttar Pradesh in the recently held Lok Sabha elections has been its worst in the last three Lok Sabha and two Assembly elections. Political observers believe that the BJP lost the Dalit vote bank in this election, which had greatly supported it in the last four elections.

Eyewitness Accounts

According to previous reports, some eyewitnesses of the accident had also told a three-member judicial panel probing the case, "If Bhole Baba' had not asked to raise dust below his feet, the stampede could have been avoided." Another eyewitness stated, "He could have asked devotees to remain calm through a mike. But they left the event venue in a car."

Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad's Actions

Meanwhile, in view of the seriousness of the incident, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad has started preparing to blacklist 20 'fake babas', including Surajpal. A consensus has been reached in principle and a formal stamp is likely to be put on it on July 18.

After this, the council will also inform officers of Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj not to consider them as saints and on this basis, these 'fake babas' should not be allotted land etc.

Political Implications

Mukesh Verma, a devotee of Surajpal from Kasganj, about 65 kilometres from Hathras, believes that 'Baba is connected to poor and deprived people. Although he is not involved in politics, action against him could prove politically expensive for the government'.

By-elections are also to be held for 10 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh and it seems that state government does not want to take any step regarding this incident which may lead to further political loss. Perhaps this is why all other opposition parties except BSP are also afraid to name Surajpal as culprit.