Date: January 10, 2025
Pawan Kalyan Apologizes for Tirupati Stampede
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Apologizes for Tirupati Stampede Tragedy
The tragic stampede at Tirumala, which claimed the lives of six pilgrims, has shaken the administration in Andhra Pradesh. The incident, which occurred during the Vaikunta Ekadasi darshan, highlighted serious lapses in crowd management and administrative negligence Pawan Kalyan Apologizes.
Apology and Responsibility
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has taken full responsibility for the tragedy. Acknowledging the grave situation, Pawan Kalyan admitted that a failure on the part of the concerned officials led to the devastating loss of lives. Expressing his sorrow, he issued a public apology to the victims, their families, devotees of Lord Balaji, advocates of Sanatan Dharma, and the people of Andhra Pradesh.
The Deputy CM promised that strict action would be taken against the officials responsible for the tragedy. He assured that the government would hold the concerned authorities accountable and initiate necessary reforms.
Urging for Change in TTD Guidelines
During his address, Pawan Kalyan emphasized the need for radical changes in the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) guidelines. One of his key suggestions was shifting the focus of the management from prioritizing VIPs to giving more importance to the common devotees. He said, “TTD’s policy should move from ‘VIPs First’ to ‘Common Man Priority’.”
Additionally, he called for expertise in crowd management to ensure such incidents do not happen in the future. An inquiry into how the situation escalated, despite managing nearly 4 lakh devotees smoothly during the Garuda Seva, is necessary, he noted.
Pawan Kalyan Apologizes and Blame on TTD Officials
Pawan Kalyan squarely blamed the TTD officials, including EO Syamala Rao and Additional EO Venkaiah Chowdary, for the stampede and the deaths that followed. The Deputy CM stressed that the TTD should have ensured that the devotees completed their darshan in a timely manner. He suggested strengthening the queue system and better management to avoid future tragedies.
The Role of Police Force
Despite the heavy police presence, including 11,000 constables, 2 additional SPs, 11 DSPs, 38 Inspectors, 78 SIs, 16 special parties, and Home Guards, the tragedy still occurred. This, according to Pawan Kalyan, signifies the negligence of the supervising authorities.
Victims of the Tragedy
Of the six lives lost in the stampede, four victims were from Andhra Pradesh, while one was from Tamil Nadu and one from Kerala. The tragedy has left the entire state grieving, with families mourning the untimely loss of their loved ones.
The tragic incident at Tirupati has exposed significant lapses in crowd management, and the need for reform is urgent. Pawan Kalyan’s apology, along with his promise to initiate action, offers a glimmer of hope that changes will be made to prevent such incidents in the future. With a strong focus on reforming TTD’s policies and management practices. The state government aims to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees visiting Tirumala in the future.