Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik launched a scathing attack on the state government on Saturday, criticizing its “lackadaisical attitude” following three fatalities during this year’s Rath Yatra festivities in Puri. He alleged that the government has failed to learn from past mistakes.
At least three people lost their lives during the grand annual festival – two during the initial journey to the Gundicha Temple on July 16 and another during the return car festival on Friday.
Taking to social media, Patnaik, who now is the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, questioned the administration’s repeated safety lapses: “Why do such incidents recur repeatedly during Rath Yatra? Why is the government so carefree? It is extremely concerning that the government does not seem to attach any importance to ensuring the safe completion of Mahaprabhu’s nine-day sacred journey.”
Accusing the BJP-led government of adopting temporary fixes rather than addressing systemic flaws, Patnaik stated, “One after another accidents are happening every year during Rath Yatra — people are losing their lives and the state is being discredited — but there is no change whatsoever in the government’s approach.”
He further pushed the administration to act proactively before more lives are lost: “How many more accidents would the government need to wake up? Despite such accidents happening every year, it is unfortunate that the government learns nothing.”
Pointing back to similar crowd control failures, Patnaik highlighted the June 29, 2025 incident near Gundicha Temple, where three pilgrims died in a stampede, leading to a state-ordered probe and the transfer of Puri’s district collector and superintendent of police.
Looking ahead to the conclusion of the festival, Patnaik urged officials to meticulously manage upcoming rituals like Suna Besha and Niladri Bije to prevent further mishaps.
“May the devotees who come for Mahaprabhu’s darshan not lose their lives,” he prayed, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
BJD Vice President Sanjay Das Burma, meanwhile, visited injured devotees at the Puri district headquarters hospital and slammed the government for what he termed a “sad manifestation of administrative failure” during the world’s largest annual spiritual gathering.
BJD leaders claimed that over 100 people suffered injuries due to crowd mismanagement along Bada Danda (Grand Road) during the Bahuda Yatra on Friday, demanding immediate compensation for affected families.
Health officials offered a different perspective, maintaining that hospital staff treated over 100 people brought in for exhaustion or minor injuries on Friday, but most were quickly released.
Puri Chief District Medical Officer Mahesh Mohan Panda statedthat barring six people requiring ongoing observation, all other devotees were discharged after receiving prompt first aid.
