The Odisha government is under scrutiny following a deadly stampede at the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. The incident, which occurred near Shree Gundicha Temple, claimed three lives and injured several others. In response, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi apologized and announced administrative changes, including the suspension of two senior police officials and the transfer of the Puri Collector and SP. The stampede happened as devotees gathered for the unveiling of the deities. Concerns have been raised regarding crowd management, with reports of congestion near a new VIP entrance and the entrance of Charamala wood trucks. An investigation led by the Director General of Police is underway. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the government’s handling of the situation, citing failures in crowd control and suggesting a lack of governmental support.



