The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 29th July 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Culture of Risk

Why in News?

The recent incidents at temples in North India show that mass gatherings require careful planning and safety measures, not just faith. Despite guidelines, basic safety protocols are often ignored, leading to tragic outcomes. These events highlight the need for better infrastructure, technology, and legal accountability to ensure public safety at religious gatherings.

Introduction

Tragedies at North Indian temples expose lapses in infrastructure and safety during religious gatherings. Recent incidents in Haridwar and Barabanki, triggered by panic over electrical issues, underscore the need for better planning and adherence to safety protocols.

Two Tragedies, One Common Cause

• On July 27, 2025, a stampede at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar resulted in 8 fatalities due to panic over a supposed electric wire issue.
• The following day, a similar incident at Avsaaneshwar temple in Barabanki led to 2 deaths after monkeys damaged a power line, triggering fear of electrocution.
• Both incidents highlight the prevalent dangers at temples, such as faulty wiring and overcrowded stalls, leading to panic and chaos.

Poor Infrastructure and Ignored Warnings

Neither temple had essential safety features like automatic power cut-off systems or loudspeakers to manage rumors.

Despite existing guidelines for underground wiring and voltage checks, these recommendations are often neglected.

Most stampedes in India occur during religious events, highlighting a pattern of ignored safety protocols.

Authorities frequently overlook rules set by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and state guidelines.

For instance, at Mansa Devi temple, the same stairway was used for both entry and exit, and the alternate route was unsuitable for large crowds.

Need for Structural Change, Not Just Compensation

Following such tragedies, states often provide financial aid to victims' families without addressing the underlying issues.

Safety regulations by the NDMA are not enforced strictly, allowing temples to treat them as non-mandatory.

Religious sites are frequently exempt from standard building safety regulations.

Management of large crowds is typically left to volunteers or guards lacking proper training.

Funds allocated for permanent safety improvements are often diverted to festival celebrations instead.

What Must Be Done Now

Treating Large Events Seriously

• All large gatherings, whether religious or not, should be organized with the same level of seriousness and professionalism.
• When the expected crowd size exceeds a certain limit, the following measures should be implemented:

Command and Control

• Establish a single command team responsible for managing the event.
• Utilize advanced technologies like AI cameras and LiDAR to monitor crowd density and movement.
• Implement real-time alert systems to control and guide crowd movement effectively.

Safety Measures for Temples and Venues

• Display maximum capacity charts at entrance gates to inform attendees about crowd limits.
• Conduct quarterly safety drills and broadcast them live to demonstrate preparedness.
• Train all staff, volunteers, and helpers in basic crowd control techniques and first aid procedures.

Conclusion

It is crucial to move beyond merely compensating victims to implementing substantial structural changes. Ensuring the safety of pilgrims should be a top priority, with strict regulations, trained personnel, and modern technology in place. Faith-based events should not be compromised by negligence or poor management. Providing safe spiritual experiences is not just the responsibility of the authorities; it reflects a respect for both devotion and the sanctity of human life.

Build on this joint statement to try and save Gaza

Why in News?

A recent statement by around 30 Western countries has called for an end to the war in Gaza, criticizing Israel for delaying humanitarian aid and causing civilian casualties.

Introduction

• A joint statement by about 30 Western nations, including the UK, France, and Italy, has strongly criticized Israel for its actions in Gaza.
• The statement calls for an end to the war and condemns Israel for delaying humanitarian aid and causing the deaths of civilians, including children.
• It also rejects Israel's plans to isolate Gaza and force Palestinians to leave, describing such actions as unacceptable.

The statement comes at a time when Israel is attacking Deir al-Balah, a crucial refuge for displaced Palestinians. Deir al-Balah has the necessary infrastructure and systems to support the population, and its destruction would have devastating consequences.

Despite this criticism, it is unlikely to deter Israel, as most Western countries continue to support Israel politically and economically without facing real consequences for its actions.

Notably, Germany and the U.S., Israel's closest allies and largest arms suppliers, did not sign the statement, indicating that their policies remain unchanged and potentially encouraging Israel to continue its actions.

There is still an opportunity for the global community to intervene and prevent further destruction of the Palestinian people, but this moment requires genuine action to avert additional human tragedy.

Is Israel Committing Genocide?

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently investigating whether Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide, but a definitive ruling may take years to reach.
• Many legal experts and scholars believe that the situation in Gaza meets the criteria for genocide, but the debate has become politicized, distracting from the grim realities on the ground.

The Reality in Gaza

• When the conflict erupted in October 2023, Gaza was home to approximately 2.3 million people. Since then, over 60,000 individuals have been confirmed dead, with estimates suggesting that around half of them are women and children.
• Approximately 90% of the population has been forcibly displaced, many multiple times, and those remaining are crammed into just 46 square kilometers of land, resulting in an average of 43,478 people per square kilometer living in horrific conditions.
• Essential systems for food supply, healthcare, and sanitation have collapsed, leading to immense suffering for the population. These figures represent not just statistics but a profound human tragedy.

Systematic Humanitarian Collapse in Gaza

• The situation in Gaza is deteriorating due to a systematic humanitarian collapse, with evidence suggesting a deliberate plan to destroy life and homes through starvation.
• Since the onset of the war, Israel has severely restricted humanitarian aid, including an 11-week total blockade earlier this year.
• A new aid delivery system has been implemented, criticized by Western nations for stripping Palestinians of their human dignity.
• Over a thousand starving individuals have died while trying to access food under inhumane and desperate conditions.
• The UN reports that approximately one-third of Gazans are surviving without adequate food, with exhaustion, hunger, and impending famine affecting nearly the entire population.
• This raises the question of whether such conditions constitute genocide, given the scale and method of suffering inflicted on the population.

Media Silence and Narrative Control

• Foreign journalists face restrictions on reporting freely within Gaza, and Israel discredits reports from non-Israeli sources, undermining global comprehension of the situation.
• This information blockade aids Israel in denying or reshaping the narrative of its true objectives in Gaza.

Ethnic Cleansing in Plain Sight

• There is a growing belief that Israel is engaging in ethnic cleansing in Gaza, with plans to control most of the territory and force Palestinians into a designated ‘humanitarian city.’
• Israeli leaders have indicated that this city would function like a concentration camp, allowing Palestinians to leave only if they agree to emigrate.
• Former Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Olmert and Yair Lapid have criticized this plan, likening the proposed humanitarian city to a concentration camp.

The Destruction of a Future

• The ongoing plan threatens to obliterate any prospects for future generations of Palestinians. Economist Jean Drèze has pointed out that the onset of famine could lead to social breakdown, with people turning against each other and solidarity disintegrating.
• This breakdown could be manipulated to portray Palestinians as barbaric or less than human, justifying further actions against them and denying their rights and dignity as a people.

Stop the hedging

• The UN has warned that the remaining means of survival in Gaza are dwindling, but there is still an opportunity for the global community to intervene and prevent further deterioration.
• Governments can reconsider the level of diplomatic, military, and economic support they provide to Israel.
• The international community could deploy peacekeeping forces to Gaza to help protect lives.
• Countries like Russia, China, and India can collaborate with the Global South to exert increased pressure on Israel.
• Gulf nations and Türkiye should take a definitive stance and cease their neutrality.
• Western countries have already called for unity to end the war, urging all nations to act collectively. Non-Western governments can respond by joining these efforts and formulating a shared peace plan, testing the sincerity of Western nations in their calls for action.

Conclusion

• The situation in Gaza is undermining the belief in global unity and equality, and it is crucial for individuals to take action.
• While governments and large corporations hold significant power, the conscience of each person matters.
• Remaining silent now could lead to deep shame and regret in the future.