Chief ministers of several states and political figures have condoled the deaths in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives terming the mishap as “heartbreaking”.
In a social media post in Hindi late Saturday night, he said, “The loss of lives in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heart-breaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families.”
“Prayers to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls, strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow and speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also termed the incident as sad. In a social media post in Hindi, Maurya said, “Very sad news has been received about the casualties of many people in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station. Prayers to God to provide speedy recovery to those injured in the accident and give place to the departed souls in his feet. Om Shanti.”
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives. ‘I pray to God to provide speedy recovery to the injured and give a place to the virtuous souls in his feet. Om Shanti,” he said in his social media post.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Congress slammed the government over the stampede incident, saying it raises serious questions on the role of the government.
“It is very sad to hear about many people being killed and injured in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station due to the huge crowd of devotees going to the Maha Kumbh. We pray for the peace of the souls of the deceased and speedy recovery of the injured,” the UP Congress said in a social media post.
“Such incidents happening from Prayagraj to Delhi are raising serious questions on the role of the government and administration. Despite so many accidents, neither are their eyes opening, nor is accountability being fixed,” it said.
The Samajwadi Party too condoled the loss of lives in the tragedy. In a social media post, the SP said, “Very sad! Heartbreaking news of people getting injured in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station during the rush to catch a train going to Prayagraj.”
“May the souls of the deceased rest in peace. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Deep condolences to the bereaved families,” it said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi railway station, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“I am extremely anguished by the terrible news coming in from New Delhi Railway Station. On behalf of the people of Assam, we offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the stampede,” Sarma said in a social media post.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured,” he added.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives and said authorities will take steps to ensure such incidents do not recur.
“It was an unfortunate incident. Authorities will take steps to ensure such incidents don’t happen in future,” Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur while responding to a question on the stampede.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam said the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday possibly had the largest crowd ever and it was “historic and unexpected”. The railway administration should have anticipated this, he said in a social media post.
On the contrary, the platform of the special train going to Prayagraj was suddenly changed. Passengers ran towards the platform which resulted in a stampede, Nirupam said.
“The only person responsible for this accident is the railway official who decided to change the platform number. He must be punished,” he said.
Meanwhile, opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray targeted Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the deaths due to the stampede, claiming he “simply refuses to take any responsibility”.
“They might as well officially change the name to Reel Mantri,” Thackeray said in a social media post. “Be it the railway management, railway infrastructure or even the number of the accidents faced by the railways. Never has the @RailMinIndia so directionless and ineffective before,” he claimed in the post.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that “more than 100 persons” died in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, but did not substantiate his comments.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday condoled the deaths.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the early recovery of the injured,” the Lt Governor said in a social media post.
In a separate post by the office of chief minister, Abdullah said “I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station today, resulting in the loss of at-least 18 lives and leaving many others injured. “My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for early recovery of the injured,” he said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief and announced ex gratia for the kin of the deceased hailing from the eastern state.
“The CM has expressed condolences over the casualties in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station. He is deeply saddened by the deaths of Bihar natives in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those who are injured,” a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office(CMO)said.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, in a social media post said “The incident at New Delhi railway station is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls and for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Meanwhile, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre over the incident, and demanded resignation of the railway minister.
“The stampede episode is very disturbing… it has exposed the inadequate arrangements made by the central government. The railway minister must resign after this incident,” Prasad told reporters in Patna.
Expressing condolences over the deaths, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday demanded an independent, judicially-monitored SIT to investigate the tragedy.
In a social media post, the Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP also sought an independent inquiry into the “systemic failures” of the Indian Railways.
“My deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who died in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede. This was an avoidable tragedy. The BJP government is trying to cover up what happened. This is what needs to be done instead: 1. Appointing an independent, judicially-monitored SIT to investigate the tragedy 2. An independent inquiry into the systemic failures of the Indian Railways,” he said in the post.
In a social media post, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the incident “deeply heartbreaking” and emphasised the need for better planning and management to ensure citizen safety, particularly during large religious gatherings like the Maha Kumbh.”
“The tragic loss of 18 lives in the Delhi stampede is deeply heartbreaking. This painful incident highlights the importance of careful planning and management, especially when it comes to the safety of citizens,” she said.
“Pilgrims on their way to the Maha Kumbh should have been met with proper support and facilities, not distress. It is essential to ensure that such journeys are safe and well-organised,” she added.