How Did the Stampede Happen?
The stampede occurred around 9:30 PM on Saturday night. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd at the station had swelled due to delays in two trains bound for the Mahakumbh pilgrimage. The situation worsened when an announcement was made regarding a platform change, prompting passengers to rush towards another platform. Some witnesses, however, claimed that no announcement was made, but passengers mistakenly believed their train was on a different platform, leading to chaos.
Most of the congestion was reported on the footbridge, where the stampede intensified. Locals and travelers mentioned that they had never seen such a massive crowd at New Delhi Railway Station before.
Political Reactions and Accusations
The tragic incident has sparked nationwide grief, with condolences pouring in from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have criticized the central government, holding them responsible for the railway mismanagement. Several opposition figures have also pointed fingers at the Modi administration, accusing them of negligence and failure to manage the crowd efficiently. 
The incident has raised serious concerns over railway safety measures and the preparedness of authorities in handling large gatherings, particularly during religious events like the Mahakumbh.
