New Delhi, January 28, 2025: A tragic incident unfolded in Baghpat district, northern India, where a wooden platform collapsed during a Jain religious gathering, leaving five people dead and injuring 40 others, local authorities reported.
Hundreds of devotees had gathered at a temple to celebrate a festival marking the salvation of Jain deity Adinatha, offering sweets and prayers when the platform gave way.
“A wooden structure collapsed resulting in the death of five people,” said District Magistrate Asmita Lal. Of the injured, 20 people were treated and discharged, while the remaining are receiving medical attention.
According to local reports, the platform, constructed annually for the festival, collapsed as priests ascended to offer laddoos (Indian sweets). Rakesh Jain, a witness, described the devastating scene: “The priests went to offer laddoos, and the platform collapsed, along with hundreds of devotees on it.”
Deadly accidents during religious gatherings are, unfortunately, not uncommon in India, often due to inadequate crowd management and safety oversights.
In 2024, a stampede in Uttar Pradesh claimed 121 lives at the end of a religious sermon while in 2016, a banned fireworks display at a Hindu temple in Kerala resulted in 112 fatalities.
The accident coincides with the Kumbh Mela, a massive Hindu festival of prayer and ritual bathing in the nearby city of Prayagraj, where millions of devotees are participating.
Jainism, an ancient Indian religion practiced by less than 1% of India’s population, emphasizes non-violence, strict vegetarianism, and reverence for all living beings. This gathering was part of the faith’s traditions, which are deeply rooted in spiritual devotion and communal harmony.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure safety measures are enhanced for future events.
