Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday expressed profound grief over the reported death of a devotee in an alleged stampede-like situation during the Rath Yatra in Puri and urged the Odisha government to remain vigilant and properly manage crowds to ensure such incidents do not recur.
Taking a post on X, BJD president Naveen Patnaik said he was deeply saddened by the news of the loss of a devotee’s life among the heavy rush at Bada Danda during Rath Yatra. He prayed for the eternal peace of the soul of the devotee who lost their life and for the speedy recovery of more than a hundred injured devotees.
Naveen, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly, further stated that workers of the BJD will extend their full cooperation to provide assistance to everyone.
The BJD supremo expressed hope that the state government would ensure devotees’ convenience and safety by properly managing the crowds.
Meanwhile, the opposition party in a statement urged the state government to ensure the best possible medical treatment for all the injured devotees and to extend every necessary assistance to the affected families.
The BJD lfurther stated that a comprehensive review of crowd management, safety protocols, emergency medical services, and the overall administrative arrangements during the Rath Yatra is essential.
The opposition party also urged the state government to remain vigilant so that such unfortunate incidents do not recur, adding that appropriate corrective measures should be taken to prevent similar tragedies and to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of every devotee participating in this sacred festival.
