Calamity in the midst of religious celebrations is a self-inflicted one and the mad rush of people going for worship saw such serious mishaps in the past. Sabarimala saw one of the worst stampedes and now we are coming across such a heavy toll in Varanasi. It is most unfortunate and heart rending. Though the lives lost cannot be brought back here and now, it should be a lesson not to show callous attitude in visiting such an unorganised place. Tradition and culture are not above the Human life. It is time to follow strict guidelines in future and avoid major stampedes during religious gatherings.
Anandambal Subbu
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
