In a disturbing turn of events, a stampede-like situation unfolded on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, during a public gathering at a petrol pump inauguration event in Buxar district of Bihar, organised by Brahmpur MLA Shambhu Yadav. The incident occurred as hundreds of women flocked to the venue, where sarees were being distributed, leading to chaos and crowd collapse. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported from the site.

The event, marking the launch of a new petrol pump and warehouse, saw participation from senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, giving the gathering a high-profile political backdrop. According to accounts from women present at the venue, each saree distributed came with a slip that contained voting appeals, suggesting that the event might also have been designed as a political outreach effort ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.

The Incident in Detail

Eyewitness videos and local reports confirmed that chaotic scenes erupted soon after saree distribution began. With a massive crowd of women in attendance, many hoping to receive gifts as part of the celebration, order soon broke down as there was no effective crowd control in place. Women were seen falling, tripping, and pushing each other, creating a stampede-like atmosphere that briefly threatened to spiral into a disaster.

Security personnel and local volunteers tried to calm the crowd, but by the time order was restored, panic and fear had already set in. However, no serious injuries were reported, and the crowd eventually dispersed without further incident.

Political Undertones and Public Reactions

MLA Shambhu Yadav, under whose name the event was organised, later addressed the media. He stated that the saree distribution was a gesture of goodwill to celebrate the inauguration of his business ventures and the birth of his grandson. However, the fact that the sarees came with slips containing voting appeals has raised eyebrows, especially given the ongoing political climate in Bihar.

"We had no intention of causing panic or creating any election-related controversy. This was purely a celebratory occasion," Yadav clarified.

However, this explanation did not sit well with opposition parties and social activists. Many have questioned the timing and format of the event, seeing it as an attempt to influence voters under the guise of a public function.

Political analysts have also pointed out that RJD’s increasing use of local events to mobilise grassroots support, especially among women and marginalized communities, could become a contentious issue as the model code of conduct is expected to kick in ahead of the elections.

Role of Election Commission and Potential Violations

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is now under pressure to look into the matter. Although the election dates have not yet been announced officially, pre-election campaigning through material inducements like sarees is considered a violation of electoral norms if done with the intent of soliciting votes.

If it's proven that the saree distribution was politically motivated, it could lead to legal and electoral consequences for MLA Shambhu Yadav and the RJD. The ECI may choose to issue show-cause notices, initiate an inquiry, or take action under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Furthermore, crowd safety regulations were evidently flouted. Experts have highlighted that the absence of proper barricades, lack of police deployment, and inadequate crowd control mechanisms contributed to the potential for tragedy.

Public Sentiment and Social Media Reaction

The incident triggered an avalanche of reactions on social media, with many users criticising political leaders for organising such mass gatherings without proper planning. Several videos of the incident went viral, showing women screaming and falling in the rush.

Others defended the MLA, claiming the event was meant to benefit local residents and was being unfairly politicised.

Recurring Pattern in Indian Politics

This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred in India. Similar stampedes during freebie distributions have been reported from various states over the years, especially during election seasons. These incidents often stem from a lack of administrative oversight, poor planning, and an urge to draw massive crowds to bolster political appearances.

In 2016, a similar stampede in Varanasi during a religious leader’s sermon led to several fatalities. In 2019, a saree distribution in Telangana also turned deadly. These incidents underscore the urgent need for strict regulation of public events involving large crowds.

Conclusion

While no injuries or fatalities occurred during the Buxar incident, the event has once again shone a spotlight on how political gatherings can quickly turn hazardous in the absence of adequate planning and oversight. With Bihar assembly elections around the corner, the use of public celebrations as veiled campaign strategies is likely to come under greater scrutiny.

The Election Commission may soon tighten regulations on such events, especially where there are giveaways involved, to ensure public safety and electoral fairness.

For now, MLA Shambhu Yadav and the RJD face growing questions about their methods of public engagement and the ethics of using celebrations as platforms for voter influence. Whether or not this incident leads to official action, it has definitely become a talking point in Bihar’s political discourse.

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