Mahakumbh Stampede Investigation Hints At Conspiracy, BJP MP Claims In Parliament

New Delhi: Amid the chaos in Parliament over the Opposition parties’ demand for a discussion on last week’s stampede at Mahakumbh Mela, a BJP MP made a sensational claim.

Former Union minister and Lok Sabha MP from Patna Sahib Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Monday that a preliminary investigation into the Mahakumbh stampede has hinted at a possible conspiracy.

At least 30 people were killed and over 60 others injured when the stampede broke out before dawn on January 29 as thousands rushed towards the Sangam Nose area to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

“Investigation is underway on the incident that took place in Mahakumbh. We are getting the smell of a conspiracy from the investigation. When the entire investigation is done, the people who were behind the incident will have to bow down in shame,” Prasad told the Lok Sabha.

Uttar Pradesh Police had said that the stampede-like situation occured because the crowd gathered ahead of time for the snan (bath) and broke barriers.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the government should declare the exact number of deaths resulting from the stampede. “So many people lost their lives… I said a thousand people died there (at Mahakumbh stampede), if you say that I am wrong, then at least give the exact report of the number of deaths that took place there,” Kharge said in Rajya Sabha.

The Supreme Court on Monday turned down a plea seeking action against UP government officials over the stampede. Terming the stampede as “unfortunate”, the Supreme Court advised the petitioner to approach the High Court.