There will be the usual criticism of the government and the ministers. The inquiry that the government has ordered would do well to find out whether the first level of civil and police administration did its functions adequately or not. My immediate reaction was that they have a lot to answer for.
Five lakh devotees thronging the narrow aproach to the anctum sanctorum. It being Tuesday, the event attracted more devotees. Did the authorities prepare in advance adequate plans for the safety and convenience of the pilgrims? These questions need to be raised and answered fully and satisfactorily by the local police and adminsitrative officials.
An English TV news channel condescendingly observed that the Wai devotees were 'below the poverty line'. I do not know what was the need to make such a class label. Nor was there any need to refer to their practices and beliefs.
For the whole day we were left tuning to various channels for fuller information but our efforts were of no avail.
