Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday blamed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who visited Mathura on Janmashtami, for the August 20 stampede, saying the police force meant to control the crowd was engaged for his security.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Yadav said during the previous Samajwadi Party regime, Janmashtami used to be celebrated with pomp, but no such incidents took place. "The tragedy took place in the BJP government, and for this (incident), it is responsible," he said.
Taking a dig at Mr. Adityanath over his visit to Mathura on Janmashtami, Mr. Yadav said, "When he (Adityanath) knew that on Janmashtami, there is a sea of Krishna devotees (in Mathura), then what was the need to stay there for hours? The police force, which was meant to control the people, was engaged for him. As a result, there was a shortage (of force) at places where it was needed, and the tragedy took place." Two devotees were killed and seven injured in the stampede at the Bankey Bihari temple in Mathura during Janmashtami celebrations in the early hours of August 20.
