The mayhem at Kharghar on Sunday afternoon has left thousands of Appasaheb Dharmadhikari followers shaken. Some helplessly saw their loved ones collapsing while others were separated from their peers, only to learn about their demise later. Psychiatrists say this traumatic experience will have a severe long-term psychological impact, but timely counselling would help them cope with the situation.

City psychiatrists have also stated that the government must take proactive measures and direct all hospitals where patients were and are being treated to provide counselling before discharge. According to Mumbai-based Ramon Magsaysay Award winner and psychiatrist Dr Bharat Vatwani, these cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will need assessment, professional counselling and even appropriate medication to overcome grief and loss.