Patna: Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Monday criticised the NDA government over the deaths of seven devotees at Ashok Dham (Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple) in Lakhisarai during the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan.
Yadav expressed grief over the incident and attributed it to what he described as administrative mismanagement. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said an electric wire fell during Jalabhishek, following which electric current spread and triggered panic and a stampede inside the temple premises.
सावन के तीसरे सोमवार पर बिहार के लखीसराय जिले के अशोक धाम (इंद्र दमनेश्वर महादेव मंदिर) में जलाभिषेक के दौरान बिजली का तार गिरने से फैले करंट, मची अफरा तफरी और भगदड़ से हुए दुखद हादसे में अनेक श्रद्धालुओं के घायल होने व 7 की असामयिक मृत्यु के समाचार से मर्माहत हूँ।
मंदिर परिसर…
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) August 17, 2026
Several devotees were injured in the incident, while seven people reportedly died.
Tejashwi Seeks Compensation For Families
Yadav said the incident raised questions over security arrangements and crowd management at the temple, where a large number of devotees had gathered for Jalabhishek.
He paid tribute to those who died and expressed condolences to their families. He also demanded adequate compensation for the next of kin of the deceased and prompt, effective medical treatment for those injured.
Chief Minister Announces Rs 4 Lakh Compensation
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also expressed grief over the incident and described it as tragic.
He said instructions had been issued to the administration to ensure proper and immediate treatment of the injured. The chief minister also prayed for the departed souls and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The state government will provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each person who died in the incident, Chaudhary said.
Nitish Kumar Expresses Condolences
Rajya Sabha member Nitish Kumar also expressed grief over the deaths at the temple and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
According to reports, a large number of devotees had gathered at Ashok Dham for Jalabhishek on the Monday of Shravan. An electric wire reportedly fell during the gathering, after which electric shock and panic led to a stampede.
Following the incident, the administration intensified relief and rescue operations and shifted the injured to hospitals for treatment.
