YSRCP tears into Naidu govt over Andhra temple stampede: ‘Repeated loss of lives reflects inefficiency’
Responding to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation that the organisers had failed to notify authorities about the religious event, Reddy said it was “negligent” of the district administration not to notice the buildup of devotees at the temple.
Written by Sreenivas Janyala
Hyderabad | November 2, 2025 07:05 AM IST
3 min read
Whatsapp
twitter
Facebook
Reddit
A visual from the site as nine people lost their lives, and several people get injured after a stampede at Venkateswara Swamy Temple, in Srikakulam on Saturday. (ANI Photo)
The stampede that killed nine people at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Kashibugga Saturday has become a major political flashpoint, with YSR Congress Party chief and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy blaming the incident on the ruling National Democratic Alliance government’s “failure” to ensure basic public safety measures.
Responding to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation that the organisers had failed to notify authorities about the religious event, Reddy said it was “negligent” of the district administration not to notice the buildup of devotees at the temple.
“Chandrababu Naidu has failed to protect the lives of innocent devotees. Similar incidents had occurred earlier — six devotees died during Vaikunta Ekadasi in Tirupati and seven more at Simhachalam temple,” he said. “Despite repeated tragedies, the government has failed to take precautions. This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration.”
Addressing a gathering in Sri Sathya Sai district, Naidu, who has ordered a probe into the Kashibugga stampede, blamed the deaths on the temple management, alleging that the event was held without ensuring adequate crowd-control measures or giving any advance notice.
“Organisers at the private temple failed to inform police about the event. Had the organisers informed police in advance, this tragedy could have been averted,” Naidu said.
Former minister Dharmana Prasada Rao also accused the government of “trying to wash its hands off” the incident. He criticised the official stance that it was a private temple and therefore did not fall under the purview of the Endowments Ministry, calling such arguments “shameful and insensitive” and saying that “irrespective of temple ownership, public safety is the state’s constitutional responsibility.”
“Despite the sanctity and heavy footfall associated with Karthika Masam Ekadashi, the government failed to deploy adequate police and crowd management systems, leading to the loss of nine lives and injuries to several devotees. How could only two constables be assigned to a temple known to see thousands of devotees during the holy period?” he asked, urging the government to announce an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for the victims’ families.
Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance.
Expertise and Experience
Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues:
High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules.
Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes.
Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak.
Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More
3 min read
