Maharashtra’s Shivneri Fort turned chaotic on Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti as a railing crumbled under teeming crowds Thursday, sparking injuries and a momentary stampede in Pune. Among the hurt were families with children, turning celebration into concern at the Maratha history epicenter.
From Wednesday evening, streams of ‘Shiv Jyot’ carriers and society groups ascended the fort, overwhelming its confines. Key chokepoints—Amberkhana under Elephant Gate and the tight Ganesh Gate—saw blockages, amplifying risks in the dense throng.
Sudden railing failure unleashed mayhem; escape bids involved climbing and collisions, with several toppling over. Alert policing quelled the unrest, aiding the wounded’s transfer to hospitals.
Pune SP Sandeep Gill verified: ‘Minor hurts to few; normalcy restored.’ He implored against panic-mongering, stressing admin support.
The episode spotlights infrastructure strains at pilgrimage hotspots. With Shivaji’s legacy galvanizing masses, authorities eye reinforcements like wider paths and sturdier barriers. Devotees’ fervor remains undimmed, but safety must match the scale of such venerated observances.