A government-sponsored mass wedding for 383 couples in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, under the Chief Minister’s Mass Wedding Scheme, turned chaotic on November 25, 2025, at Brahmanand Vidyalaya sports ground in Rath town. Guests surged toward snack counters post-ceremony, scrambling for chips, aloo bonda, and chowmein, leading to a stampede-like crush where several fell and a child reportedly suffered burns from hot tea.
Videos went viral across social media, drawing sharp criticism for mismanagement as officials and security left early. Local authorities acknowledged lapses, provided medical aid, and launched a probe into crowd control failures.
Snack Rush Turns Celebratory Event into Disorder
The event united 380 Hindu couples in rituals and three Muslim couples in nikah, attended by hundreds including families limited to 20 members per side. As snacks were distributed after ceremonies, the crowd overwhelmed counters, with people pushing, grabbing multiple packets, and even a groom fleeing with chips.
Eyewitnesses reported falls amid the frenzy, exacerbating injuries like the child’s burn, as reported by Free Press Journal. No officials were present during the peak chaos, amplifying the disarray despite initial presence of lawmakers like Rath MLA Manisha Anuragi.
Public Reactions Ignite Online Backlash
Viral videos on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook captured the looting-like scenes, prompting widespread condemnation. Netizens mocked the frenzy, with comments labelling it “looting at a wedding” and questioning government oversight, such as “Officials vanished after photo ops?” and “This is shameful for a welfare scheme.”
Others expressed sympathy for the injured child, calling for accountability: “How can mass weddings promote dignity like this?” The clips amassed views rapidly, fuelling debates on social media about civic behaviour and event planning.
Broader Context: Recurring Safety Issues
Mass weddings in Uttar Pradesh aim to support underprivileged couples by covering costs and fostering community ties, but frequent crowd mishaps highlight systemic gaps. Similar past events faced criticism for inadequate staffing and protocols, especially during food distribution.
Here, premature departure of organisers post-rituals left supervision wanting, turning a joyous occasion into distress. Authorities now emphasise reviews to enforce better arrangements at future gatherings.
The Perils of Freebies in Mass Gatherings
Free distributions at public events, while well-intentioned, often trigger uncontrolled rushes that endanger lives, as seen repeatedly in India.
Experts note that offering snacks, gifts, or cash without structured queues creates surges, especially among economically strained crowds facing inflation and job scarcity. Studies on crowd disasters highlight how such “freebies” exacerbate desperation, leading to crushes during relief or welfare handouts.
In rural settings like Hamirpur, this underscores the irony: aid meant to uplift communities instead sows chaos when logistics falter. Thoughtful alternatives, such as token systems or phased access, could mitigate these risks, preserving dignity and safety.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident exposes how good intentions falter without robust safety measures, undermining the harmony mass weddings seek to build. While promoting equity, such events demand empathy-driven planning to prevent harm from unchecked impulses.
The Logical Indian urges organisers, officials, and attendees to champion patience, discipline, and care for safer celebrations.
यूपी –
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) November 26, 2025
जिला हमीरपुर में UP सरकार ने 380 जोड़ों की शादी करवाई। यहां चिप्स और नाश्ते का सामान पाने के लिए मारामारी मच गई। pic.twitter.com/4drPvXYlhh
