TL;DR: A tragic stampede occurred at Tirupati's Vaikuntha Ekadashi token counters, resulting in six deaths and over 40 injuries. Despite the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) managing vast funds, inadequate arrangements led to this disaster. Authorities are urged to prioritize devotee safety over political agendas, with calls for accountability and resignations.
The Incident
On January 8, 2025, a devastating stampede erupted at multiple token issuance centers in Tirupati, including Srinivasam, Bairagipatteda Ramanaidu School, and Satyanarayanapuram. Thousands of devotees had gathered to collect entry tokens for the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan, scheduled from January 10 to 19. Although counters were set to open at 5 AM, eager devotees began queuing up the previous evening, leading to uncontrollable crowds. The chaos resulted in six fatalities, including a woman from Salem, Tamil Nadu, and left at least 40 others injured.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, stating, "Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon." Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also conveyed his condolences and promptly ordered an investigation into the incident. He questioned the lack of adequate arrangements despite the anticipated large turnout and directed officials to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.
TTD's Financial Standing
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara Temple, is among the wealthiest religious institutions globally. For the fiscal year 2024-25, TTD approved a budget of ₹5,142 crore. Significant revenue sources include:
Hundi Collections: ₹1,611 crore from devotees' offerings.
Interest Receipts: ₹1,167 crore from investments.
Prasadam Sales: ₹600 crore from the sale of sacred offerings.
MediaFx Opinion
Despite managing such substantial funds, TTD's failure to ensure the safety and well-being of common devotees is glaring. The recent tragedy underscores a severe lapse in planning and crowd management. It's disheartening to observe that while authorities focus on politicizing religious offerings, they neglect the essential commitment to enhancing devotees' experiences and safety.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call. Those responsible for this negligence must face consequences. The officials in charge should be held accountable, and the TTD chairman should consider resigning to uphold the institution's integrity and restore public trust.
We Want to Hear from You!
What are your thoughts on this tragedy? Do you believe the authorities are doing enough to ensure the safety of devotees? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below. Let's engage in a constructive discussion to ensure such incidents are never repeated. 🗣️👇
