Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh – January 28, 2025: A makeshift stage collapsed during the ‘Nirvana Laddu Parv’, a religious festival honoring Bhagwan Adinath, in Baraut, Baghpat. The tragic incident resulted in six fatalities and over 50 injuries, including police personnel and Jain disciples. The accident has raised serious concerns over safety measures at large religious gatherings.
Incident Details
The Jain community of Baraut had organized the ‘Laddoo Mahotsav’, an annual religious celebration where hundreds of devotees gather to offer laddoos to the deity. To accommodate the large crowd, a bamboo and wooden platform was erected at the temple premises. However, as devotees climbed onto it, the structure collapsed under the weight, trapping several people underneath.
Casualty Report So Far:
- 6 confirmed dead
- Over 50 injured, with some in critical condition
- 20 people given first aid and discharged
- Rescue operations underway
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene as people struggled to escape, while others desperately tried to rescue those trapped under the collapsed platform. Local police and emergency services arrived promptly, rushing the injured to nearby hospitals.
Immediate Government Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed authorities to immediately provide relief to the injured. He also assured that proper medical assistance was being arranged for the victims.
Following the incident, Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal and Super
intendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya visited the hospital to assess the situation and oversee relief efforts.
Superintendent Arpit Vijayvargiya provided an official update, stating that the makeshift stage collapsed due to overcrowding. Some suffered minor injuries and were treated at the site, while others were rushed to nearby hospitals. An investigation is underway to determine if safety regulations were violated.
Eyewitness Accounts & Community Reactions
Rakesh Jain, a devotee present at the scene, recalled that the priests had just started offering laddoos when the platform suddenly gave way. There was panic everywhere, and many were trapped under the structure.
A local police officer mentioned that the wooden and bamboo structure was not strong enough to handle the crowd. Too many people climbed onto it at once, leading to the collapse.
A senior member of the Jain community expressed shock, saying that the festival has been celebrated in Baraut for over 30 years without incident and that they never imagined something like this could happen.
Safety Concerns & Ongoing Investigation
The Laddoo Mahotsav has been a tradition for decades, drawing large crowds every year. However, this tragedy has sparked serious concerns over the safety measures in place for religious events. Authorities are now investigating whether structural weaknesses or mismanagement contributed to the disaster.
The government is expected to announce compensation for the victims and their families. There is also growing pressure to enforce stricter safety regulations at public gatherings to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As rescue operations continue and investigations unfold, the community mourns those lost in this tragic accident while seeking answers and accountability for the lives affected.
