Following the tragic stampede that claimed at least six lives during the distribution of tokens for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati, a storm of criticism has engulfed the Andhra Pradesh government and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board.
The incident, which took place on the evening of January 8, 2025, has sparked debates on governance, administrative oversight, public safety, and owning responsibility.
Allegations of negligence lead to political backlash from the opposition and even allies
The stampede, which resulted in numerous injuries alongside the fatalities, was attributed by many to overcrowding and a lack of arrangements.
The initial response from the TTD Chairman BR Naidu, who suggested that an apology would not bring back the deceased, drew significant ire from various quarters.
Mr. BR Naidu said the cause was overcrowding, emphasizing that the Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, would provide a detailed report on the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan demanded that Mr. BR Naidu and other members of the TTD board apologize, highlighting a perceived lack of accountability and empathy from the temple’s management.
Despite the Deputy CM’s public rebuke, the TTD Chairman issued an apology along with a statement that it was being offered despite no fault of his.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan attributed the disaster to police personnel being diverted to CM Chandrababu’s programs in a neighboring area instead of having them stationed at the TTD event.
YSRCP leader and former minister Velampalli Srinivas accused the TTD of prioritizing VIP services over the welfare of regular devotees, suggesting a systemic failure in the administration. He termed the incident a black day in the history of TTD, which is generally known for its crowd-management capabilities.
The opposition party also pointed out that Chief Minister Chandrababu blamed everyone but the TTD Chairman, who happens to be the owner of a media house that supported TDP before the state elections.
Public Outcry
Public sentiment, as reflected on social media platforms, has been one of mourning mixed with frustration.
Posts on X have criticized the government and TTD for their unpreparedness despite knowing the significance of the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, which draws millions of devotees.
There’s a growing call for accountability, with some users demanding the resignation of the TTD Chairman for the management’s failure to ensure the welfare and safety of the devotees.
How is the government handling the backlash?
Following the incident, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited Tirupati, expressing deep sorrow and announcing a judicial inquiry into the matter.
His administration suspended two officials – Tirupati’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramana Kumar and TTD’s SV Dairy Farm Director Harinatha Reddy – for their inefficiency in crowd management and ticket counter placement, respectively. Additionally, three officers, including Tirupati SP Subbarayudu, were transferred, signaling a significant administrative shakeup to address the lapses.
The TTD has also responded by offering financial compensation of ₹25 lakh to the families of the deceased and aid for the injured, alongside free education for the victims’ children.
However, the board’s initial reluctance to apologize has been a point of contention, with critics arguing that it reflects a broader issue of insensitivity in leadership.
