Key Points:
- Two people, including a woman, fainted during the stampede-like chaos at Shreya Ghoshal’s concert
- Several others sustained injuries due to suffocation and exhaustion near the stage barricades
- Police used mild lathi charge to disperse unruly sections of the massive crowd
- The incident occurred on the concluding day of the nine-day Bali Jatra festival (November 5-13)
- Authorities blamed inadequate crowd management planning by Cuttack district administration
Cuttack: A stampede-like situation unfolded at the historic Bali Jatra grounds in Cuttack on Thursday evening, November 12, 2025, during renowned Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal’s highly anticipated live performance. The incident occurred on the concluding night of the nine-day Bali Jatra festival, which ran from November 5 to 13, celebrating Odisha’s rich seafaring heritage through the symbolic “Boita Bandana” ritual.
Thousands of fans had gathered at the venue to witness the musical extravaganza, but the overwhelming crowd soon turned the celebration into chaos. Eyewitnesses reported that the trouble began even before the concert started, as restless attendees pressed against the barricades separating the stage from the audience area, desperate to get a closer glimpse of the celebrated singer.
Multiple Casualties Reported
At least two people, including a woman, fell unconscious during the melee, while several others sustained injuries from suffocation and exhaustion. The sudden surge of people near the stage barricade created a panic situation, with fans pushing and shoving each other in the confined space. The unconscious individuals were immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility for first aid and further treatment.
Some reports suggest that the number of injured could be higher, with one source indicating up to five people may have been affected. The resulting chaos and lack of proper air circulation caused several attendees to collapse, requiring immediate medical attention.
Stampede-like situation erupts at Baliyatra’s closing day Shreya Ghosal's music event; crowd surge leaves at least two injured. #ShreyaGhoshal #BaliJatra #Cuttack #Odisha #MusicalNight pic.twitter.com/DtJsqOpLz6
— sambit kumar 🇮🇳 (@SambitRout18) November 13, 2025
Police Intervention and Lathi Charge
Senior police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police and other top brass, rushed to the venue to assess and control the deteriorating situation. To manage the unruly sections of the crowd and prevent further escalation, police resorted to a mild lathi charge, which helped disperse the masses and restore order.
Additional security personnel were quickly deployed across the venue to prevent any further untoward incidents. Despite the chaos, Cuttack Commissioner of Police S Dev Datta Singh downplayed the severity of the incident, stating, “There was no such unpleasant situation. It is true that there was a huge crowd, but we managed it properly. One person sustained a minor injury and is stable”.
Criticism of Crowd Management
The incident has sparked serious concerns about the adequacy of crowd control measures and security arrangements at large-scale public events. Sources within the administration attributed the stampede-like situation to a lack of proper planning by the Cuttack district administration. Despite anticipating a massive footfall for the celebrity performance on the festival’s closing day, authorities allegedly failed to implement adequate precautionary measures.
The Bali Jatra festival, which features cultural programmes, trade stalls, and celebrity appearances, draws millions of visitors annually. The event’s popularity, combined with Shreya Ghoshal’s immense fan following as one of Bollywood’s most successful playback singers, made the large turnout predictable.
Shreya Ghoshal’s Anticipation
Earlier on the day of the concert, Shreya Ghoshal had shared her excitement about the Cuttack performance on the social media platform X. In a post accompanied by a selfie, she wrote, “On my way to Cuttack for a show today but also excited about what’s coming in two days. Let’s kill some time until soundcheck. AMA?”. The post reflected her enthusiasm for performing at the prestigious Bali Jatra celebration.
Safety Concerns Raised
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder for event organizers to strengthen security protocols and crowd management systems, especially when hosting performances by high-profile celebrities who command massive fan followings. The chaos at Bali Jatra 2025 has reignited debates about the responsibility of district administrations to ensure public safety at large gatherings, with experts calling for better planning, adequate barricading, emergency medical facilities, and trained security personnel at such events.
