Farooq Abdullah underlines importance of religion in India
A day after six people were killed in a stampede in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah underlined the importance of religion in India and said arrangements should be in place to prevent loss of lives at religious ceremonies. People do not go (to religious places) to die but to pray for their safety, nation and family. The government should investigate how people died in the stampede. And steps should be taken to monitor the arrangements in such places with large crowds and to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Adequate arrangements before Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Farooq Abdullah said that religion is considered the most important in India. Meanwhile, six people were killed in a stampede in Tirupati during ticket distribution on Wednesday night. Another 40 people were injured in the accident. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called a review meeting on Thursday. He will also meet the next of kin of the deceased today. Meanwhile, offline tokens have been made available for darshan at various distribution centres set up in Tirupati. Tirupati Collector S Venkateswara said adequate arrangements have been made ahead of the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival that begins on Friday.
Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan to be held from January 10 to 19
Vaikuntha Dwar Darshan will be held from January 10 to 19 at Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple. Under this, devotees will pass through the holy gate to get the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. "Elaborate arrangements have been made by the TTD and the district administration for Vaikuntha Ekadashi this year," Collector Venkateswara told reporters here. Adequate number of police personnel were deployed at all ticket counters (9) in Tirupati and at Tirumala (1). We also kept a watch on the areas. At this particular location, there was some misunderstanding about opening the gates. An unfortunate incident took place. Meanwhile, offline tokens have been made available for darshan at various distribution centres set up in Tirupati.