'I & My Govt Seek Forgiveness From All': Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Apologizes To Lord Jagannath Devotees After Stampede Claims 3 Lives

Bhubaneswar: Following the stampede in Odisha's Puri that claimed the lives of three pilgrims, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended an apology to the devotees of Lord Jagannath on Sunday and ordered an immediate investigation into the security lapses.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi's Tweet

“Personally, I and my government seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees," wrote CM Majhi on his official X handle.

ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପ୍ରବଳ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠା ଜନିତ ଠେଲାପେଲା କାରଣରୁ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଘଟଣ ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଭାବେ ମୁଁ ଏବଂ ମୋ ସରକାର ସମସ୍ତ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥପ୍ରେମୀଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ଷମା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛୁ। ଯେଉଁ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କର ଜୀବନଦୀପ ଶରଧାବାଲିରେ ଲିଭିଯାଇଛି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା…

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 29, 2025

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Majhi further expressed condolences to the families of those devotees who lost their lives in the stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple. He prayed to Lord Jagannath to grant the bereaved family members of the deceased devotees the strength to withstand this profound sorrow.

🚨 BREAKING:
Tragedy strikes at #JagannathRathYatra in Puri, Odisha — 3 people have died and at least 10 injured in a stampede near Gundicha Temple.
What was meant to be a sacred celebration turned into chaos.

💔 Heartfelt prayers for the families of the victims. pic.twitter.com/nNC43uSw35

— Sarcasm Scoop (@sarcasm_scoop) June 29, 2025

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He said that due to the "intense eagerness among devotees to have a glimpse of Mahaprabhu at Sharadhabali, an unfortunate incident occurred because of the resulting jostling and chaos".

"This negligence is unforgivable. An immediate investigation into the security lapses will be conducted, and I have directed that necessary steps be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible,” Majhi posted.

Statement Of The Director General Of Police

Meanwhile, the Director General of Police, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, appealed to the devotees to follow the instructions of the police and refrain from taking videos and photos while having darshan of the holy triad near the Gundicha Temple, causing inconvenience to others.

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“I am appealing to all the people to follow the directions given by the police officials at different spots. The devotees are seen taking photos from their mobile phones, standing in the crowd, causing inconvenience to others. They should cooperate with the police. A probe has been launched into the unfortunate incident which occurred earlier today. The necessary corrective measures are being taken,” said Khurania.

Speaking to media persons, the Puri Collector, Siddharth Shankar Swain, earlier informed that after the ceremonial closure of Darshan (Pahuda), when the darshan of the deities started early morning, a large number of devotees rushed toward the cordon.

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He further added that around nine people complained about breathlessness. They were evacuated and taken to the hospital. As of now, the death of three devotees has been confirmed, while six others are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The stampede occurred early in the morning between 4 a.m.- 4.30 a.m. The deceased were identified as Pravati Das, Premkant Mohanty and Basanti Sahoo.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)