{
  "id": 19262378,
  "title": "40 years ago November 10, 1986: Stampede in Ayodhya",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/40-years-ago-november-10-1986-stampede-in-ayodhya",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T01:10:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/40-years-ago/40-years-ago-november-10-1986-stampede-in-ayodhya-10956916/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On November 10, 1986, a tragic stampede occurred in Ayodhya during the kartik parikrama, a ritual where pilgrims circumambulate the city. The disaster resulted in at least 50 pilgrims losing their lives and over 30 sustaining injuries, with 15 of the injured in critical condition. Among the deceased were 21 women and several children. Senior district officials arrived at the site to oversee the rescue efforts as the barrier ropes had failed, causing the stampede.\n\nSimultaneously, in Tamil Nadu, the government's crackdown on Sri Lankan Tamil militants and their subsequent house arrest was deemed unrelated to India's efforts to find a political solution to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka. This decision was made due to the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. An external affairs ministry spokesperson clarified that the center had not been consulted before the action, as law and order falls under the jurisdiction of the state.\n\nAdditionally, the \"cinema bandh\" in Maharashtra was lifted after an agreement was reached between the film industry and the authorities. The film industry’s action committee had announced a one-month ban on cinema screenings, but this was called off. Chavan, the leader of the committee, stated that the imposition of a sales tax on film rentals would be put on hold until the Godbole Committee submitted its report, anticipated by the end of December. The Chief Minister announced an ad hoc relief of Rs 10 crore to the film industry as a gesture of support.\n\nLastly, Indian missions abroad have been instructed to increase the visa fees for British nationals. The single entry visa fee will now cost £20 instead of £12, the double entry fee will increase to £40 from £24, and the long-term entry fee will rise to £50 from £25.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}