Monday, March 8, 2010

Stampede for Free Food, Clothing at Temple in India Kills 63 People; Police Charge Negligence

The Worldwide Religious News website reports today that hundreds of grieving relatives buried and cremated their wives, mothers, and children in India during the past few days, and police opened a criminal negligence case into a stampede at a Hindu temple that killed 63 people.

The tragedy erupted on March 4, 2010 when poor villagers -- mainly women and children -- scrambled for free food and clothing being given away at a ceremony at the temple in the town of Kunda, on the northern plains of India's Uttar Pradesh state.

The handouts in Kunda are an annual tradition arranged by local religious leader Kripalu Maharaj to mark the anniversary of his wife's death -- a common practice in India.

Authorities accused the organizers of failing to take adequate security measures, and opened a criminal negligence case against the temple management.

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