NEW DELHI – A tragic stampede at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela has once again ignited political controversy and raised serious concerns about crowd management during one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. On January 29, 2025, more than 30 people lost their lives as chaos unfolded at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, prompting widespread outrage against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its state government.
The festival, expected to draw around 400 million visitors over six weeks, saw its largest influx on the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya, leading to severe overcrowding. Reports indicate approximately 80 million pilgrims gathered at the site, resulting in overwhelming chaos as they scrambled to enter the bathing areas at the peak of the celebration.
“Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion and mismanagement are responsible for this,” said Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the opposition Congress party, reflecting the frustration many felt about the lack of proper planning and oversight. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath voiced his sorrow over the “heartbreaking” incidents, announcing compensation of 2.5 million rupees (approximately US$39,000) for the families of those who lost their lives.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moments leading up to the disaster. The Delhi-based news outlet reported significant panic as devotees attempted to break through barricades to reach the holy water. Police efforts to enforce crowd control included sealing off routes to prevent overcrowding, inadvertently triggering the stampede as thousands pushed against the barricades.
Vaibhav Krishna, the deputy inspector-general overseeing the festival, confirmed the tragedies, stating, “Unfortunately, 30 lost their lives,” and detailing the swift response to transport injured pilgrims to medical facilities. Amid accusations of mismanagement, former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav demanded greater transparency, claiming the state government concealed true death tolls to avoid financial liability. “The government is hiding the number of people who died in Kumbh as they don't want to pay the compensation,” Yadav asserted.
The political ramifications of the stampede extend beyond immediate grief. Several opposition leaders have called for military oversight of the event to restore faith among the attendees and prevent future crises. Criticism mounted against the BJP-led state administration, not only for the disaster itself but for its slow information dissemination, which some interpreters viewed as indicative of potential cover-ups.
Experts, like Dr. O.P. Singh, emphasized the need for more dynamic crowd management strategies, stating, “A congregation of such magnitude cannot afford stagnation. The longer a crowd lingers in a high-density zone, the greater the risk of a crisis.” Reflecting on past gatherings, he notes the deadly stampedes at similar events and the pressing requirement for improved safety measures.
Despite the calamity, millions of devotees continued to gather at the Mela, driven by religious fervor and tradition. Some families took precautions, tying themselves together with string to avoid losing one another amid the enormous crowds. “We are walking very carefully and trying to avoid the crowded areas,” expressed Krishna Soni, demonstrating the persistent hope and determination of the attendees even after such tragedy.
The Maha Kumbh Mela occurs only once every 12 years, with this year's event being particularly significant as it is the Maha or grand Kumbh Mela, held only every 144 years due to special celestial alignments. Concerns remain rampant over the logistical capabilities of managing such immense gatherings, especially as the government has reportedly allocated around 75,000 crores (approximately US$9 billion) for this year's festival operations.
President Droupadi Murmu also addressed the incident during a recent parliamentary session, offering condolences and highlighting the importance of this cultural event for India. She remarked, “The historic Mahakumbh is a festival of India’s cultural identity. I express my condolences and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.” Such support from the highest offices could bolster calls for accountability and safety improvements as the festival continues.
The Maha Kumbh Mela has not always been linked with safety, as prior instances have been marred by overburdened infrastructure and horrendous stampedes. The last Kumbh Mela, held in 2013, resulted in the deaths of 42 individuals following another crowd-related incident, rapidly tarnishing the image of the state administration at the time. Given the scale of this year’s gathering and the prominence of the BJP, there are fears the recent tragedy could overshadow any political gains the ruling party hoped for.
With the festival expected to continue for weeks to come, many are now calling for urgent and substantial changes to management to prevent any repetition of this incomprehensible loss of life. The implementation of stricter crowd control and enhanced medical response teams may be imperative as authorities attempt to restore faith among the devotees and the public alike concerning the safety of such mass gatherings.