Simhachalam temple tragedy exposing that the AP government focus on governance is waning. Incidents that are happening in succession make it clear that it failed to learn from the Tirupati stampede.
On January 8 this year, six people died and more than 20 were injured in a stampede at the ticket counters set up for Vaikuntha Ekadashi darshan in Tirupati. Such an incident has become a permanent stain in the history of Tirupati. Again, within four months on Wednesday, seven devotees died in a tragedy that took place during the Simhachalam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Chandanotsavam.
The incident of the death of devotees when a wall collapsed on devotees standing in a queue for darshan tickets filled the city with tragedy. Although it is being said that the wall built a few days ago collapsed due to heavy rains, officials say that there are many doubts about its quality.
In Tirupati, the Chandanotsavam is being held every year on Vaikuntha Ekadashi and in the similar way at Simhachalam temple also it is an annual ritual. It is known that devotees flock to these in large numbers. However, the government is failing to make arrangements according to the needs of the devotees.
There are criticisms that devotees are losing their lives due to the negligence of some people. Moreover, the government is also failing to ensure accountability in the administration. There is no chance to believe that such incidents are repeating due to lack of administrative experience for the people at the helm of affairs.
From the government officials to the Endowment Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, everyone is senior. And where is the fault?. There is also a debate as to whether this government has focused only on the issues it wants and left all the rest behind.
Most people are saying that instead of rushing into action immediately after the incident, attempting to divert public attention in the name of ordering for an investigation, announcing ex-gratia and focusing on rescue operations.
It is not up to anyone to prevent unexpected accidents, but there is a chance to prevent accidents that occur due to negligence, corruption. However, there is a discussion that the government officials are not paying attention to the matters related to the devotees because their focus is on other things.
