UP Election 2022: Stampede at Congress marathon, party leader draws Vaishno Devi comparison

Startling visuals emerged from a women's marathon organised by the Congress in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly on January 4. Stampede-like scenes were witnessed at the event organised under the Opposition party's 'Ladki Hun, Lad Sakti Hun' election campaign. Videos posted on social media by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders showed some girls falling, those behind them stumbling, while others tried to run past. A few people tried to rescue those stuck underneath even as panic increased.

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BJP leader Priti Gandhi, while tweeting visuals of the incident, said, "Shocking visuals from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh! A stampede-like situation occurred at the Congress marathon. Several girls fell & have been hurt. Thankfully no lives were lost. Is it right to play with human lives to fulfill your political ambitions, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?"

Congress leader Supriya Aron reacted to the news by drawing a parallel with the recent stampede at the Vaishno Devi Shrine. She said that the tendency to move before others is part of human nature. She said that participants at the marathon were young girls, and some 'bhaag-daud' (chaos) occurred at the event. She also tendered an apology for the incident.

Videos from the marathon also showed lack of adherence to Covid-appropriate protocol, with no social distancing, and improper use of face masks. This occurred even as the Congress party has been accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of giving preference to crowded rallies instead of controlling the disease's spread.

Uttar Pradesh is headed for Assembly elections with the ruling BJP facing multiple competitors like the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, among others.