Bihar’s Rs 4 Lakh Relief Plan for Families of Temple Crush Victims

Patna – In response to a fatal crowd crush at the Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai, the Bihar state government announced on August 17 that each family of the deceased will receive a financial grant of Rs 4 lakh.

The incident, which took place on the third Monday of the sacred month of Sawan, saw a large gathering of devotees for ritual bathing. A high‑voltage electric wire dropped onto the congregation, causing panic and a rapid surge of people trying to escape. The ensuing stampede resulted in seven deaths and more than a dozen injuries.

Emergency teams, aided by local volunteers, worked quickly to rescue those trapped beneath the crowd. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh posted a message of condolence, expressing deep sorrow for the loss and praying for the rapid recuperation of the injured.

Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the lack of proper crowd‑management and safety measures, labeling it an administrative failure. Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Rajiv Ranjan Singh also extended sympathies and called for better preventive protocols at large religious events.

The Rs 4 lakh assistance is designed to provide immediate financial support to the bereaved families while the state continues to address medical needs of the injured and reassess safety standards for future gatherings.