On January 29, 2025, the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings globally, was marred by tragedy when a stampede claimed the lives of at least 30 people and left around 60 others injured, during the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya. The incident has sparked intense political backlash and fierce discussions surrounding the management of the event.
Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and present Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav has been vocal about what he claims is the government's cover-up of the actual death toll. During the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Yadav challenged the official figures, calling for transparency from the government about the handling of the Kumbh festivities. "The government is freely sharing the Budget figures, but that's not the case with the Maha Kumbh," he stated, advocating for detailed disclosures on management arrangements.
Yadav's accusations were amplified by similar sentiments from SP MP Jaya Bachchan, who controversially claimed bodies from the stampede were disposed of in the Ganga river, resulting in contamination of water at the religious site. "Where is the water most contaminated right now? It's in Kumbh. Bodies have been thrown in the river because of which the water has been contaminated... The real issues are not being addressed," she admonished, drawing significant media attention.
Contrarily, BJP MP Hema Malini dismissed the gravity of the situation, asserting the stampede was not as significant as portrayed. "It was not a very big incident," she stated, claiming everything at the Kumbh was well-managed and criticizing the Opposition for what she called exaggeration. Her comments prompted backlash from other political leaders, who accused her of being out of touch with the reality faced by the victims and their families.
Yadav, expressing disbelief over the handling of the tragedy, has called for the Army's involvement to oversee disaster management at future events, prompting wider speculation on the government’s current strategies aimed at maintaining safety during the event attended by millions.
Parliamentary discussions saw Yadav demanding punitive action against officials allegedly involved in hiding the true casualty figures, echoing concerns shared by various other political entities, including Congress. Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy described the stampede as one of the worst tragedies to befall India, insisting on transparency and accountability from the government.
The opposition's outcry reached its peak when Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge boldly suggested thousands might have perished, prompting demands for clarity from the government on the accurate numbers. Yadav continued to raise questions about the timing of the government’s responses, noting the Chief Minister’s delayed acknowledgment of the tragedy compared to the quicker expressions of sorrow from the President and Prime Minister.
The SP leader's concerns were underlined by visual evidence presented by media outlets of the chaotic scene, where barriers failed to contain the massive crowd eager for the ritual dip. "People came to earn blessings but had to leave with the bodies of near and dear ones. The miracle here was the government found bodies but was refusing to accept the numbers," he lamented.
The situation escalated when Yadav claimed the administration used JCB machines and tractors to clear bodies post-tragedy, undermining the gravity of the incident and its human cost. Discontent is brewing among the general populace, feeling neglected under the current governance, only heightened by the contrasting experiences expressed by politicians enjoying VIP treatment during the Kumbh.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, this stampede has reignited debates over larger issues of public safety and government accountability when hosting such monumental gatherings. Both the SP and Congress are insisting on comprehensive investigations and the establishment of reliable safety protocols at large-scale events.
While the Uttar Pradesh government maintains their stance of effective management, the stark divisions within political narratives reveal deep-seated concerns about prioritization of public safety over ceremonial grandeur. Yadav encapsulated the prevailing sentiment across various opposition parties: "The figures for the deaths during the Maha Kumbh accident, treatment, and support for the injured must be disclosed, and those responsible should be held accountable."
The controversy surrounding the Maha Kumbh stampede remains far from resolved as both sides grow more entrenched, with the need for transparency and respect for the deceased echoing across the political spectrum. This unfortunate incident serves as a grim reminder of the fragile balance between faith and safety.