Oppn Takes A Jab At ‘World-Class’ Mahakumbh Preparations; Blames VIP Culture For Stampede

Prayagraj: A stampede-like situation broke out at the Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday amid the ongoing Mahakumbh, as a large number of pilgrims turned up for the second Amrit Snan (holy bath) on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya in Prayagraj.

While reports claimed that at least 15 people are feared killed in the stampede that took place around 2.30 am when a large number of devotees reached Sangam banks, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed that the situation was under control and a few devotees suffered serious injuries in the incident.

The Congress blamed the Up government’s “half-baked preparations” and a focus on “self-publicity” rather than crowd management for the tragic stampede. “Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion and mismanagement are responsible for this. Such arrangements despite spending thousands of crores of rupees are condemnable,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.

“Arrangements for accommodation, food, first aid and movement of devotees should be expanded and VIP movement should be curbed. This is what our saints and sages also want,” he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed deep sorrow over the incident and attributed it to mismanagement and administration’s special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees. “The news of many people’s death and many getting injured due to stampede in Prayagraj Mahakumbh is extremely saddening. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X,

He stressed on reining in the “VIP culture” and making better arrangements to fulfil the needs of common devotees. “There is still a lot of time left for the Maha Kumbh, many more Mahasnans are to take place. The government should improve the system to prevent a tragic incident like today from happening again. VIP culture should be curbed and the government should make better arrangements to meet the needs of common devotees,” he added.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, called upon the BJP-led state government to take moral responsibility and resign from all posts. He further stated that the incident belies the state government’s claims of “world-class system”. “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,” he said.

He also asked the UP government to hand over management of Mahakumbh to Indian Army to “re-instill faith of saint community and devotees in the system”.

Meanwhile, the UP CM has urged people to not move towards Sangam Nose and take bath at the ghat near Maa Ganga. He has also asked people to not pay attention towards rumours. “The situation in Prayagraj is under control but the crowd size remains massive. The saints of different Akhaaras have humbly said that devotees should take holy dip first and once crowds reduce Akharas will proceed for the holy dip,” he told ANI.

Taking to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the incident. “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,” he wrote.

The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh and is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims.