On January 8, 2025, a tragic stampede during the issuance of Vaikunta Ekadashi tokens in Tirupati claimed six lives and injured at least 29 others, exposing gross mismanagement by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the coalition government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The incident, which occurred at token distribution centers like Bairagipatteda MGM School and Srinivasam, sparked outrage among devotees and political parties, with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) rejecting the judicial commission’s report and demanding a CBI probe, labeling the inquiry as biased and predetermined.
The Incident: A Tragedy of Negligence
The stampede occurred during the token issuance for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan, a 10-day event attracting lakhs of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. TTD set up nine counters in Tirupati and one in Tirumala, with token distribution scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. on January 8. However, TTD failed to communicate this schedule effectively, leading devotees to arrive the previous night. By morning, thousands had gathered at centers like Bairagipatteda MGM School, but authorities did not allow them into queue lines, causing a massive crowd buildup.
At 8:35 p.m., when police finally opened the gates, a chaotic rush ensued, resulting in a deadly stampede. Six devotees suffocated to death, including a woman at Srinivasam, and several others were injured. The lack of basic amenities exacerbated the situation: there were no toilets, causing distress to women and children; drinking water was scarce; and food distribution was nonexistent. The coalition government and TTD were fully aware of the expected crowd but failed to make adequate arrangements, highlighting a systemic collapse in crowd management.
Judicial Commission Report: Blaming the Small Fish
On July 10, 2025, the judicial commission led by retired Justice M. Satyanarayana Murthy submitted its report, which was accepted by the State Cabinet. Shockingly, it absolved senior officials like TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, Executive Officer (EO) Shyamala Rao, Additional EO Venkayya Chowdary, and the then Tirupati SP Subbarayudu. Instead, it pinned responsibility on lower-level officials: DSP Ramana Kumar, TTD Dairy Farm Director Harinath Reddy, and Joint Executive Officer (JEO) Gouthami, recommending criminal proceedings against them.
The report’s findings sparked widespread criticism for scapegoating minor officials while shielding those truly responsible. Devotees and opposition leaders questioned how Harinath Reddy, an agriculture officer managing the TTD goshala with no role in crowd management, could be held accountable. Similarly, DSP Ramana Kumar was targeted, while other officials present at the counters, like Suryaprakash, were spared without explanation. The inquiry failed to clarify who ordered the holding points that delayed queue entry, further exposing its selective nature.
YSRCP’s rejection and demand for CBI Probe
On July 25, 2025, former TTD Chairman and YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy rejected the judicial commission’s report, calling it a premeditated attempt to protect senior officials and political allies of the coalition government. Speaking to the media in Tirupati, Reddy demanded a CBI investigation to uncover the truth and punish the real culprits. He argued that the report was an “eyewash” and a precursor to future biased inquiries, designed to shield TTD and government officials while sacrificing lower-rung staff.
Reddy highlighted that the previous YSRCP government had extended Vaikunta Dwara Darshan to ten days after consulting religious heads to accommodate devotees, a practice reversed by the coalition government without adequate preparations. He questioned why senior officials responsible for crowd management and law enforcement were spared, while unrelated officials like Harinath Reddy faced suspension and potential criminal charges. The YSRCP presidnet questioned the government of prioritizing VVIP services, with TTD staff and police diverted to serve political leaders like Chandrababu Naidu during his Kuppam tour from January 6 to 8, leaving devotee safety neglected.
Political manipulation and favoritism
The coalition government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, faced allegations of political manipulation to protect loyalists. TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, who belongs to the same social group as Naidu and is associated with TV5 (a channel supportive of Naidu’s TDP), was not held accountable despite his oversight role in TTD operations. Similarly, EO Shyamala Rao and Additional EO Venkayya Chowdary, responsible for darshan arrangements, escaped scrutiny. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan publicly criticized Chowdary but no action was taken, raising suspicions of favoritism.
SP Subbarayudu, diverting police resources to Naidu’s security detail during the Kuppam tour, was initially transferred but later reinstated as SP of the Red Sandals Task Force in the same district, showcasing leniency. In contrast, DSP Venkatanarayana, from Naidu’s social group, was spared, while DSP Ramana Kumar faced suspension. Allegations also surfaced that IPS officer Sridhar CVS Oga was transferred for refusing to file false reports against former TTD Chairman Y.V. Subbareddy, further fueling claims of political vendetta.
The district collector’s role was also ignored, despite failing to issue queue management directives or ensure basic amenities like water and food. This systemic failure across TTD, police, and district administration underscored the government’s negligence, yet no senior official faced consequences.
Public Outrage and Government’s Cover-Up
Devotees and the public labeled the stampede as “government-sponsored murders,” holding CM Chandrababu Naidu primarily responsible for the tragedy. To deflect blame, the government staged high-drama displays of grief, with Naidu expressing anger in front of cameras and Pawan Kalyan offering apologies to victims’ families. However, these actions were dismissed as crocodile tears, with the TTD Chairman refusing to apologize despite Kalyan’s demand, reportedly on Naidu’s instructions.
In a review meeting, the TTD Chairman and EO traded accusations, exposing a lack of coordination between TTD and the government. This mismanagement directly contributed to the stampede, yet the government targeted lower-level officials to divert attention. The YSRCP stated that Naidu orchestrated a cover-up, protecting loyalists while attempting to frame political rivals with false cases, as seen in the transfer of officials who refused to comply with such directives.
CBI probe
The Tirupati stampede tragedy exposed deep-rooted negligence and political maneuvering by the coalition government. By shielding senior officials like B.R. Naidu, Shyamala Rao, Venkayya Chowdary, and Subbarayudu, while scapegoating minor officials like Harinath Reddy and Ramana Kumar, the government has drawn widespread condemnation. The YSRCP’s demand for a CBI probe reflects the public’s call for transparency and accountability. Devotees continue to question how those at the top escaped responsibility while the “small fish” were sacrificed to protect the “big ones,” leaving a stain on the sanctity of Tirumala’s sacred traditions.
