West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised serious allegations against the Uttar Pradesh government, accusing them of withholding the true number of casualties from the recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. During a press conference after the state budget presentation, Banerjee expressed her concerns, stating that the authorities were not revealing the correct death toll from the tragic incident that occurred during the religious gathering.
“The Maha Kumbh incident resulted in numerous deaths, but the real number is being hidden. There was a lot of hype around the event, but the arrangements at the venue were insufficient for such a massive crowd,” Banerjee said. She also stressed that despite the large number of devotees attending the festival, the necessary infrastructure and safety measures were lacking.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of January 29, on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela. Millions of pilgrims gathered at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati River, to take a holy dip. During this time, a chaotic stampede broke out, leading to the deaths of at least 30 people and injuring more than 60 others, according to the figures provided by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Banerjee’s comments echo similar allegations made by other opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has also accused the BJP government of hiding the true death toll. He demanded action against those responsible for the poor management of the event. Yadav criticized the government for failing to provide transparency, saying, “Those who promised a ‘digital Kumbh’ are unable to provide the digital details of the deaths. On one hand, they continuously talk about digital innovations, but on the other, they can’t even share the numbers of those who perished.”
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a major religious event that takes place every 12 years, attracts millions of devotees. The stampede has sparked widespread criticism of the event’s crowd control measures and raised questions about the safety of such large-scale gatherings.
While the Uttar Pradesh government has taken steps to improve crowd management and security, the incident has prompted demands for a thorough investigation into the causes of the stampede and the preparedness of the authorities to handle such a massive crowd.
The debate continues to unfold as both state officials and opposition leaders weigh in on the tragedy, calling for accountability and improved safety protocols for future events. The incident also highlights the challenges faced by organizers and the government in managing public safety during high-profile religious festivals in India.
