Allahabad High Court: Calls for Crowd Science Courses to Prevent Stampedes

• The Allahabad High Court has recommended the institutionalisation of crowd behaviour as a scientific discipline to prevent stampedes.
• Universities in Uttar Pradesh are urged to introduce dedicated courses on crowd behaviour, psychology, disaster management, and crowd flow modelling.
• A Centre of Excellence for Crowd Science, Mass Gathering Safety, and Urban Research is proposed to be established.
• Authorities must move beyond reactive measures and adopt proactive approaches that prioritize crowd science research.

The recurring tragedies witnessed at pilgrimage sites... are not merely the product of administrative failure or infrastructural inadequacy but... reflect a profound and institutionalized ignorance of the science of crowd behaviour,

The recurring tragedies at pilgrimage sites in India are not just a result of administrative failures or infrastructural inadequacies, but also reflect a profound and institutionalized ignorance of crowd behaviour. This is the stark conclusion drawn by the Allahabad High Court in its recent judgment on crowd safety at religious gatherings. The court's observations highlight the need for authorities to move beyond reactive measures such as deploying more police personnel or erecting barricades, and instead adopt proactive approaches that prioritize crowd science research. By doing so, they can prevent future disasters and ensure that large public gatherings are safe for all participants.

In its judgment, the Allahabad High Court also examined the issue of unauthorised constructions in Mathura. The court found that despite issuing 2,453 notices and passing 700 demolition orders over the last five years, the magnitude of unauthorised construction was far more serious than initially thought. In fact, the court observed that these figures represented merely 'the tip of the iceberg', highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing this issue. The court's findings underscore the importance of effective urban planning and regulation in preventing tragedies at pilgrimage sites.

The Allahabad High Court has recommended that universities in Uttar Pradesh introduce dedicated courses on crowd behaviour, psychology, disaster management, and crowd flow modelling. The court also proposed establishing a Centre of Excellence for Crowd Science, Mass Gathering Safety, and Urban Research. By institutionalising crowd science as a scientific discipline, authorities can ensure that large public gatherings are safe and well-managed. This is a crucial step towards preventing stampedes and ensuring the safety of all participants at religious gatherings.

Lawyers advising clients on large public gatherings in India should be aware that the Allahabad High Court has recommended the institutionalisation of crowd behaviour as a scientific discipline, and authorities may soon require mandatory engagement of crowd behaviour experts to prevent stampedes.

Source: Original reporting via LawBeat