‘Chariots Halted for Adani?’ Congress Blasts Odisha Govt Over Rath Yatra Tragedy

The Indian National Congress on Monday demanded the resignation of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, holding them accountable for the tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri, which left several devotees dead and many others injured.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, senior Congress leaders Saptagiri Ulaka and Arabinda Das accused the newly formed BJP government in Odisha of gross mismanagement and turning the sacred festival into a VIP-centric spectacle. The party has also sought a judicial probe into the incident and demanded full disclosure of the number of casualties.

"The BJP government has turned Odisha's holiest festival into a private event for billionaires, cronies, and camera crews—disrespecting both the deity and the devotees," the Congress leaders said.

They alleged that Lord Jagannath’s chariot was deliberately halted, asking whether this delay was meant to accommodate industrialist Gautam Adani. “Was Lord Jagannath made to wait for Adani?” they questioned, claiming the government prioritized VIPs over the sentiments and safety of ordinary devotees.

Congress's Key Demands:

• Immediate resignation of CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy CM Pravati Parida

• A judicial inquiry into the stampede

• Full disclosure of the exact number of deaths and injuries

• ₹50 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased

• ₹25 lakh compensation for those seriously injured

Ulaka and Das further alleged that never before in living memory had devotees witnessed the Lord’s chariot dishonored due to delays or negligence. “This is not mere mismanagement; it is a desecration of a sacred tradition,” they said. The leaders also pointed out that rituals were arbitrarily rescheduled, questioning the government’s motive behind such actions.

Blaming the BJP for defiling Odisha’s cultural heritage, the Congress leaders said, “Our homes run on the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath. But the homes of BJP leaders run on the blessings of Adani. For the BJP, Adani is bigger than Lord Jagannath.”

They added that the incident not only led to tragic loss of lives but also brought shame and sorrow to millions of devotees. The party called for accountability and respect for Odisha's cultural and religious values.

The Odisha government, meanwhile, is yet to respond to the allegations.

Also Read: Three Killed, 10 Injured in Stampede During Puri Rath Yatra