Two years ago, 29 people died in a stampede during Godavari Mahapushkaralu Allegations at the time accused CM Naidu of closing a ghat to film his pooja A commission, that was supposed to investigate the cause, is yet to file any report
14 July marks the two-year anniversary of a deadly stampede in Godavari Mahapushkaralu near Rajamahendravaram. On 14 July 2015, within hours of the start of the Godavari Mahapushkaralu, a stampede occurred in one of the ghats - killing 29. As is commonly understood, a lack of preparation and carelessness by a state government looking to gain some publicity via festivities resulted in the tragedy.
Opposition members at the time held Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu responsible, pointing out that his closure of a ghat to film his own pooja resulted in overcrowding and, eventually, a stampede.
Some families lost their own earning member, some lost their livelihood. But today it seems the tragedy is only remembered by the families of the dead. The responsible people during the tragedy are currently busy with their lives. Leaders who remember every date related to their political bosses have all but forgotten 14 July.
Though CM Naidu has remained steadfastly silent on the date, and officials state that the CM's filming of his pooja was not responsible for the stampede, the tragedy of the Pushkar is a dark spot in the annals of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
To investigate the allegations, the government appointed the Somayajulu Commission under retired Judge Somayajulu. he commission took charge on 15 September 2015 and started its first investigation on 18 January 2016. It requested the Commission for an open investigation and to submit its report within six months. The deadline of the commission was increased six times till date for periods of three months each.
But even till date, the investigation has not been completed, the report has not been submitted and the culprits have not been identified. Does the Commission have no power? Are the 29 lost lives a mystery beyond the reach of the investigation or is the government's interference the cause behind the slow pace of the investigation?
Everything is unclear and full of doubt. But the suspicion is growing that the CM, who was shooting a documentary about Andhra Pradesh's glories at the time, might not wish the investigation to go ahead.
The truth will only come out once the report is submitted - if it ever is.
