Hathras stampede: Rise of Bhole Baba, miracles and all
65-year-old religious preacher, known as Bhole Baba, caused India's biggest stampede in Hathras. 121 dead, 100+ injured, and the Baba remains on the run.
At 12.30pm on Tuesday, a ripple went through the waiting, breathless crowd of more than 200,000 people in Phulrai Mughalsarai village in Hathras. In a typical crisp white suit and white shoes, a 65-year-old-man ascended the stage, and sat down on a bejewelled throne. A man known by many names — Suraj Pal, Narayan Sarkar Hari, and Bhole Baba. A man who has lived many lives — as head constable with the Uttar Pradesh Police, as a member of the
*NO SYNDICATION* Hathras, Uttar Pradesh - July 2, 2024: Suraj Pal aka Narayan Sakar alias Bhole Baba, a religious preacher. 107 people, mostly women, died in a stampede during Satsang held by Suraj Pal in Rati Bharpur village of Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh, India, on Tuesday, July 02, 2024. Credit: HT Photo
Ashni Dhaor is a principal correspondent with Hindustan Times since 2021. She covers crime, education and human-interest stories in Noida and Greater Noida. With over nine years of experience as a journalist across print, digital and broadcast newsrooms, she specialises in writing long-form feature stories tackling a diverse range of topics.
Peeyush Khandelwal writes on a range of issues in western Uttar Pradesh – from crime, to development authorities and from infrastructure to transport. Based in Ghaziabad, he has been a journalist for almost a decade.
Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.
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