Tragedy in India: Father Mourns the Loss of Three Generations After Deadly Stampede
Vinod Kumar was away on his usual rounds looking for masonry work when his phone rang with news no parent should ever have to hear.
In one devastating moment, his entire family—three generations of women—were gone. They were among the victims of a tragic stampede that unfolded during a massive gathering for a well-known spiritual leader.
The horrific incident claimed 121 lives. As chaos erupted at the religious event, Kumar and his sons began a desperate search across hospitals in Hathras, hoping against hope to find their loved ones alive.
Late that night, their worst fears were confirmed. At the district hospital, they discovered the bodies of Kumar’s wife, Raj Kumari, 42, and their 9-year-old daughter, Bhumi. Laid out among dozens of others, the two were side by side—still and silent.
Overwhelmed with grief, Kumar knelt beside them. “Who will guide the children now? Who will remind them to study?” he cried. But his mourning was cut short—his elderly mother was still missing, and he wanted to bring them all home for one final farewell.
He gently lifted Bhumi for a last embrace. Dressed in yellow, her hair tied back with a pink ribbon, she looked as if she were only sleeping.
“Let her rest,” said Nitin, his eldest son, softly laying her back down. There was still one more search ahead.
Kumar’s mother, Jaimanti, was not just the matriarch of the household—she was the family’s spiritual anchor. A devoted follower of the guru, she often kept his images in their home and attended sermons faithfully.
The spiritual figure at the center of the event, known as Bhole Baba (formerly Suraj Pal), has amassed a following from among India’s most vulnerable—those living on the economic and social margins.
The incident has not only left a family shattered but also raised urgent questions about public safety and the protection of devotees during large religious gatherings.