A stampede-like situation took place at the ongoing 45-day Maha Kumbh last night. Horrifying visuals have surfaced on social media over the last few hours. Questions have been raised on the Yogi government for poor management of such a large gathering where millions have descended to take the holy dip even as we wait for official clarity on the exact number of deaths and injuries. Which many suspect are a handful.
During the wee hours of Mauni Amavasya, which is considered the most sacred bathing day of the festival, around 1:00 am, a stampede-like situation broke out.
Recounting the incident, an eyewitness woman told the media, “Suddenly, there was a huge crowd, and we got stuck somehow. People started pushing aggressively, and we fell.”
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Mahant Ravindra Puri said, “A disinformation was spread in the morning in the Mela area. A small incident was shown as a big incident, which is sad… We are communicating with the Mela administration, and as per the communication, all our saints and seers, our all Mahamandaleshwars, Mandaleshwars, Naga Sadhus and devotees would take a holy dip …Once the crowd reduces, we will proceed to take a holy bath…” Puri added.
CM Yogi Adityanath said that between 1 am and 2 am, devotees were seriously injured while scaling barricades, and the injured have been rushed to the hospital.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said the situation is now under control, adding that he has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister JP Nadda and Governor Anandiben Patel of the situation. Adityanath also warned devotees and saints not to pay attention to rumours.
PM Modi took to micro-blogging website X to express his sympathies:
“The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji, and I am constantly in touch with the state government.” The post read.
प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में हुआ हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन श्रद्धालुओं ने अपने परिजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा हुआ है। इस सिलसिले में मैंने…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2025
Till the time of recording this video, the UP police have remained tight-lipped on the official number of casualties in the incident. However, PM Modi’s post on X clearly indicates that there have been casualties.
Speaking to the news agency ANI, SSP Kumbh Mela Rajesh Dwivedi said, ‘There was no stampede. It was just overcrowding, due to which some devotees got injured. The situation is completely under control. No kind of rumour must be paid heed to. Amrit Snan will soon begin. All preparations for Amrit Snan have been made. Many ghats have been developed, and people are easily taking a dip in those ghats. Currently, I don’t have numbers on casualties or injuries.” he said.
Lok Sabha MP and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said: “Now that the truth behind the claims of ‘world-class system’ has been exposed, those who were making these claims and spreading false propaganda should take moral responsibility for the people killed in this accident and resign from their posts.”
महाकुंभ में आए संत समाज और श्रद्धालुओं में व्यवस्था के प्रति पुनर्विश्वास जगाने के लिए ये आवश्यक है कि उप्र शासन-प्रशासन के स्थान पर महाकुंभ का प्रशासन और प्रबंधन तत्काल सेना को सौंप देना चाहिए।
‘विश्वस्तरीय व्यवस्था’ करने के प्रचार करते हुए दावों की सच्चाई अब जब सबके सामने आ…
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 29, 2025
The next sacred bathing day is February 3, Basant Panchami. Taking a holy dip on this day is believed to invoke the blessings of goddess Saraswati. Around 20 Crore people have taken a holy dip since the start of Maha Kumbh.
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