Palasa, November 1: Former Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao squarely blamed the Andhra Pradesh government for the tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kashibugga, stating that the incident was a direct consequence of the government’s negligence and failure to ensure basic public safety measures during major religious occasions. Speaking to the media in Palasa, he said that despite the sanctity and heavy footfall associated with Karthika Masam Ekadashi, the government failed to deploy adequate police and crowd management systems, leading to the loss of nine lives and injuries to several devotees.
Dharmana recalled that he, along with former ministers Dharmana Krishnadas, Dr. Seediri Appalaraju, and senior YSRCP leaders, immediately visited Kashibugga to console the bereaved families. He noted with appreciation that Dr. Appalaraju personally attended to the injured devotees, offering medical assistance on the ground.
Criticizing the government for trying to wash its hands off the tragedy by claiming that the temple does not fall under the Endowments Department, Dharmana said such arguments are “shameful and insensitive.” He emphasized that, irrespective of temple ownership, public safety is the state’s constitutional responsibility. He questioned how only two constables were assigned despite the known influx of thousands of devotees during the holy period.
Citing a pattern of governance collapse, Dharmana drew parallels with recent tragedies in the state, the Simhachalam Chandanotsavam wall collapse that killed seven devotees and the stampede at the Tirupati token center during Vaikunta Ekadashi, all pointing to recurring administrative failure and negligence.
Demanding immediate accountability, the former minister called on the government to announce Rs. 25 lakh ex-gratia to each bereaved family and financial support to the injured. He urged the government to wake up, put in place proper crowd-control protocols, and ensure such avoidable tragedies never recur.
Dharmana asserted that devotee safety is non-negotiable and the government must act with responsibility, sensitivity, and urgency to protect the lives of the faithful
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