Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for allegedly concealing the death toll from the Mahakumbh stampede, which claimed at least 30 lives and left over 60 injured. Yadav demanded disciplinary action against officials he accuses of covering up the mismanagement that led to the tragedy during the Shahi Snan at the Mahakumbh festival.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Allegations on Cover-Up
While participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, Akhilesh Yadav raised serious concerns over the government’s handling of the stampede’s aftermath. He demanded transparency, calling for the release of accurate figures regarding the deaths, injuries, and the overall condition of medical and logistical resources during the event. Yadav said, “The government is continuously reeling out budget numbers, but what about the figures for the deaths in the Kumbh? The numbers of those who died in the Mahakumbh accident, the treatment of the injured, availability of medicines, doctors, food, water, and transport should all be presented in Parliament.”
Yadav further claimed that the government resorted to using JCB machines and tractors to clear the bodies from the Kumbh ground following the stampede. “People came to earn blessings but had to leave with the bodies of their near and dear ones. The miracle here was that the government found bodies but was refusing to accept the numbers,” Yadav said.
Controversial Actions by the Government
One of the most shocking allegations from Yadav was that, despite the victims lying in mortuaries, the government proceeded to shower flower petals from helicopters. “The government showered petals from helicopters when bodies were lying in the mortuary. What kind of Sanatan (timeless) traditions are these?” Yadav questioned. He described the chaotic scene at the stampede site, with bodies scattered and personal belongings like footwear and clothes strewn all over. The use of JCB machines and tractor trolleys to clear the bodies, he argued, was an attempt to cover up the tragedy.
Yadav also pointed out the delayed response from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who, according to him, expressed his grief over the incident 17 hours after both President and Prime Minister conveyed their condolences. “He expressed grief a good 17 hours after the President and Prime Minister expressed grief over the tragedy,” Yadav remarked.
BJP MP Hema Malini Minimizes the Incident
While Yadav’s accusations continue to stir political controversy, BJP MP Hema Malini downplayed the severity of the stampede. Speaking about the incident, she referred to it as a “minor” event and claimed that the situation was “very well-managed.” She added, “We went to Kumbh, we had a very nice bath. It is right that an incident took place, but it was not a very big incident. I don’t know how big it was. It is being exaggerated. It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well… So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage, but we are doing our best.”
The Tragic Event at the Mahakumbh
The Mahakumbh, a major religious and cultural event, witnessed a horrific stampede during the Shahi Snan, which occurred in the presence of millions of devotees. At least 30 people tragically lost their lives, and more than 60 individuals were injured during the stampede. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place at such large-scale events.
The debate over the management of the event and the aftermath continues to intensify, with opposition leaders accusing the government of negligence and attempting to suppress the true extent of the disaster.
Conclusion: Government Accountability and Political Fallout
As the controversy over the Mahakumbh stampede death toll continues to unfold, questions remain about the government’s accountability and the adequacy of safety measures at such massive events. Akhilesh Yadav’s allegations are fueling political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, while the BJP defends its handling of the situation. The tragic incident at the Mahakumbh has not only drawn national attention but also raised concerns about the management of public events in the state.
