Catastrophes involving panicked crowds, commonly referred to as stampede disasters, can be avoided if there's a higher prioritization of human wellbeing.

In a tragic turn of events, a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, India, on July 27, 2022, claimed the lives of nine individuals and injured many more. This incident, reminiscent of several previous tragedies, has once again brought the issue of crowd management and safety at religious events into sharp focus.

The Allahabad High Court has emphasised the importance of prioritising human life, especially in private temples where devotees gather for Darshan. The court's statement underscores the need for a cultural shift in how India approaches public gatherings and pilgrimages. This shift should focus on the implementation of proper systems, trained personnel, and working infrastructure for crowd management.

India's past is littered with similar incidents. The Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, Tirumala Temple in Tirupati, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, the New Delhi Railway Station, and the Sri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village, Goa, have all witnessed deadly stampedes. The incident at the Mansa Devi Temple follows this disheartening pattern.

The tragedy could have been avoided with measures such as real-time crowd monitoring, a digital entry system, and basic loudspeaker announcements. These measures would have helped manage the crowd more effectively and prevent the stampede.

The Mansa Devi tragedy is not just a statistical loss of life but a reflection of the stark contrast between the grandeur of celebrating the Hindu faith and the apparent neglect of the lives of its devotees, particularly in terms of safety infrastructure. The stairway at the temple was crowded with makeshift stalls, tarpaulin-covered shops, and vendors. There were no signage, no emergency exits, and no alternate route to divert the crowd.

The Uttarakhand government has responded to the incident by ordering a district-level inquiry and initiating new crowd management reviews. Similar responses have been seen following previous tragedies, with little change in the outcome. The usual response to such incidents is the formation of a high-level committee and the ordering of an inquiry.

The author, an advocate in the Supreme Court of India and a former member of the National Human Rights Commission, argues that people should start valuing their own lives, not just spiritually but practically, to address the recurring issue of stampedes during religious events. Worshippers should not feel that attending religious events is a dangerous endeavor.

The tragedy at the Mansa Devi Temple serves as a grim reminder of the need for immediate action. The safe density for walking downstairs and upstairs, according to Fruin's Crowd Safety Model, is defined as 3.5 and 3.2 persons per square metre, respectively. Implementing these guidelines could significantly reduce the risk of such tragedies in the future.

As India continues to attract large crowds at pilgrimage sites like Haridwar, Varanasi, Tirupati, and Amritsar, it is crucial to prioritise the safety of these masses. The name of the chairman of the commission appointed by the Supreme Court for the administration of the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple is Justice Dharmendra S. Saini. His commission's findings and recommendations could provide a roadmap towards ensuring the safety of devotees at religious events.

The stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple was triggered by a rumour of a live electricity wire falling on the stairs. Early reports indicated that over 5,000 devotees were present at the temple that day. The District Magistrate's statement focused more on dismissing the rumour of electrocution than acknowledging the loss of human lives. Such dismissive responses only serve to trivialise the gravity of the situation.

In conclusion, the Mansa Devi Temple tragedy underscores the urgent need for reforms in India's approach to crowd management and safety at religious events. The author's call for a cultural shift, focusing on the practical value of life, is a step towards addressing this recurring issue. The time for action is now.

Catastrophes involving panicked crowds, commonly referred to as stampede disasters, can be avoided if there's a higher prioritization of human wellbeing.