Dr Bhattacharjee this is not suicidal frenzy. The devotees who throng the temples are mostly simple folks from the rural hinterland. Life is harsh in India and to many, religion offers some sort of solace and peace.

arindam, kolkata, india

The Indian government should be ashame for letting this happen.What is it doing with all the money it is getting form the Tatas and Mittals- used for buying votes and appeasing the West by signing grandoise schemes in nuclear tecnology whilst letting simple things like bridge safety go to pot. SAD!

Naseem, Delhi, India

To Jonathan, Siena, Italy----a comment on fanaticism is a bit rich coming from an italian---after all, you guys house the vatican and all the fundamentalist catholic baggage that goes with it !!

matthew, birmingham, uk

Are you crazy, Dr. Bhattacharya ( one of the viewers who expressed his comments below). A crowd's reaction to an unprecedented event/trigger/rumor will be the same irrespective of their caste, religion, or even race. Try to give ideas to stop these from occurring rather than blaming those dead!

Ramu Chimakurthi, Torquay, UK

Have you ever visited “these countries”? Perhaps you should go with your science books and try to understand why poor people rely so heavily on their religious traditions and beliefs.

Dr Pratul Chatterjee, London, UK

Fanaticism is unhealthy- it's time it stopped and some science was explained in these countries... they're stuck in the medieval!

Jonathan, Siena, Italy

To Dr Bhattacharya, I think you are clearly trying to express your disgust at this sad incident. However, you do not need to be so blunt in face of tragedy like this. Be a Human first.

Presh Mulay, Bath, Avon

I am shock to read that 80 children are dead may god bless these families I can’t imagine what is going with their parents now its high time to think the polices of India every life is important in this world in it own unique way Govt must bring good polices and spend some money on studying how they

Pradeep, Bangalore,

Triparna, I fully agree with you. I am also very sorry for these unfortunate people.

I lived in Kolkata for far too long to understand that Calcuttans may express their sorrows in different ways that might appear as flippant remarks to others.

Dr Pratul Chatterjee, London,

I would disagree with your flippant attitude Dr. Bhattacharya. When there is a big crowd, panic gets multiplied and it has nothing to do with Hindus or muslims, it has to do with people not thinking it through. If any thing it is a negligence on the part of authorities. I am sorry for those dead.

Triparna, Omaha, USA

I was born of Hindu parents. I am ashamed at this type of suicidal frenzy. The Hindus do not have to be killed by Lashkar-i-taiba or Al Qaida. They kill themselves.

Dr. Ajoy Bhattacharjya, Kolkata, India

This is due to negligence on the part of temple authority. Devoties are usually crazy about visiting important shrines.When a crown moves towards its objective it does not have any reasoning. In such cases temple authorities and the government should have the proper maitenance and must guide mob.

Dr. R. Chowdhuri, Kolkata, India