Puri’s Titular King Urges Immediate, Comprehensive Inquiry into Rath Yatra Stampede
Expressing deep concern over the tragic stampede that occurred during the annual Rath Yatra, Puri’s titular king and Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) chairman, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, on Sunday called on the Odisha government to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the incident.

In an official statement issued by his office, the Gajapati Maharaja termed the incident “most unfortunate” and emphasized the urgent need for corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

“Shree Gajapati Maharaja has appealed to the state government to carry out a prompt and comprehensive inquiry regarding this most unfortunate incident and to take proper and immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” the statement read.

As the ceremonial head of the Rath Yatra and a key religious figure in Odisha, the Gajapati’s call for action holds significant weight. His comments come in the wake of a stampede near the Gundicha Temple in Puri that claimed three lives and left several injured, sending shockwaves across the state.

The titular king also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.

The state government has launched a preliminary inquiry, and further investigations are expected to follow amid growing public and political calls for accountability and improved crowd management protocols at large-scale religious events.