Akhilesh Yadav Criticizes Government Over Alleged Stampede Mismanagement at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing critique of the government on Tuesday, accusing it of concealing the number of fatalities resulting from a stampede at the ongoing Kumbh congregation in Prayagraj. Yadav raised his concerns during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Parliament, where he questioned the government’s transparency and demanded immediate accountability for what he described as “mismanagement” of the grand religious event.
The Kumbh Mela, a spiritual gathering of immense significance that attracts millions of devotees, has been in the spotlight not only for its grandeur but also for allegations of logistical and safety failures. Yadav accused the government of failing to address the issues on the ground and attempting to downplay the severity of the situation.
Yadav alleged that despite branding this year’s event as a “digital Kumbh,” the government was ironically hiding the “digits” or numbers of people who had lost their lives in the stampede. “The government is continuously reeling out budget numbers, but they should also reveal the numbers of those who died in the Kumbh,” he remarked. Yadav called for the government to present detailed data on the incident, including figures on fatalities, injuries, and the availability of essential services such as medical care, food, water, and transportation.
He demanded that the government convene an all-party meeting to discuss the arrangements made for the Kumbh and suggested that disaster management operations, along with the Lost and Found Centre, be handed over to the Army to ensure efficiency and safety
In his fiery speech, the SP leader called for strict disciplinary action against the officials responsible for what he termed as “mismanagement” in organizing the event. He further criticized the authorities for attempting to cover up the scale of the tragedy instead of addressing the root causes of the chaos.
“The figures for the deaths in the Maha Kumbh accident, treatment of the injured, availability of medicines, doctors, food, water, and transport must be presented in Parliament. The government cannot escape accountability on this matter,” Yadav said
Highlighting a controversial aspect of the incident, Yadav claimed that the government’s mishandling extended to sacred traditions associated with the Kumbh Mela. He alleged that when the stampede occurred, authorities requested seers and saints to postpone the ‘shahi snan,’ a ceremonial holy dip performed during a unique planetary alignment. This, he argued, violated the sacred traditions of Sanatan Dharma.
“The government ordered seers to delay the ‘shahi snan,’ disrupting a centuries-old tradition. When there was widespread outrage, they hurriedly allowed it to resume, ignoring the fact that the holy bath must be conducted at a specific mahurat (auspicious time),” Yadav said.
Painting a grim picture of the aftermath of the stampede, Yadav alleged that the government used heavy machinery like JCB earthmovers and tractor trolleys to clear the bodies of the deceased, a move that he called insensitive and disrespectful to the departed souls. “People came to the Kumbh seeking blessings and spiritual upliftment but had to leave with the bodies of their loved ones. The government found the bodies but refused to acknowledge the numbers,” he said.
He further accused the government of indulging in symbolic acts to distract from the tragedy. “They showered petals from helicopters, even as bodies lay in the mortuary. Footwear and clothes of the victims were strewn all over the site. Instead of addressing the issue with empathy, they rushed to cover up the disaster,” Yadav added.
In a sharp critique of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Yadav claimed that the CM refrained from expressing grief over the tragedy promptly. According to him, Adityanath only expressed his condolences 17 hours after the President and Prime Minister had already done so, raising questions about the state government’s response to the incident.
Akhilesh Yadav concluded his remarks by reiterating his demand for transparency, accountability, and justice for the victims and their families. He urged the government to present a detailed report on the fatalities, injuries, and overall arrangements at the Kumbh Mela, emphasizing that the truth should not be hidden from the public.
The Kumbh Mela, known for its spiritual and cultural significance, has turned into a subject of political contention as opposition leaders call out the government for its alleged failures. As millions continue to gather for the holy event, questions about safety, management, and accountability remain at the forefront of the public discourse.
