Andhra Pradesh Congress President seeks higher-level probe, Rs 1 crore compensation for victims, amid political blame game.
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), January 12: Andhra Pradesh Congress President YS Sharmila criticized the state government for its handling of the recent stampede at the Tirupati temple, which claimed six lives and injured 40 others. Calling it a “failure of the government,” Sharmila demanded a higher-level inquiry into the tragedy and urged the state to provide Rs 1 crore compensation for the victims’ families.
“The stampede at Tirumala is a glaring failure of governance,” said Sharmila. “The Congress party reacted immediately, seeking a thorough inquiry and adequate compensation. We hope this incident serves as a wake-up call, and the necessary actions are taken to ensure such mishaps never occur again.”
Government’s Response and Blame Game
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy defended the state government, stating that it had promptly responded to the tragedy under the directive of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
“The government acted swiftly. Six ministers visited Tirupati to console the affected families, and immediate action was taken against those responsible for the incident,” Reddy said.
Reddy accused the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of politicizing the incident, claiming that its leader, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and other party members entered hospital ICUs without doctors’ consent, disrupting medical care.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The stampede occurred on Wednesday night during the distribution of tickets for temple darshan. Six people lost their lives, while 40 others sustained injuries in the chaos.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh for each of the deceased’s families. The government has also promised contract jobs to affected family members and arranged special darshan for the injured on Friday.
YS Sharmila’s Demands and Public Sentiment
Sharmila reiterated her call for accountability and better crowd management at the Tirupati temple. “The government must ensure safety at such revered religious sites, as the faith and lives of millions are at stake,” she said.
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and calls for improved safety measures, with many questioning the state’s preparedness to manage large crowds at high-profile religious events.
As the political blame game intensifies, the focus remains on securing justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent future mishaps.