Prayagraj: A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya (January 29, 2025) led to the deaths of at least 38 devotees, with dozens injured. The disaster occurred as millions gathered at the sacred Sangam for the holy dip, causing an uncontrollable rush.
Following the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the BJP-led Central and Uttar Pradesh governments, blaming mismanagement and an excessive focus on VIP movement over public safety. He demanded accountability and called for an end to the VIP culture that he claimed led to the chaos.
“The government should prioritize the safety of all devotees rather than facilitating special arrangements for VIPs. This negligence has cost innocent lives,” Gandhi stated.
Govt’s Response and Investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the tragedy and assured a thorough investigation. CM Yogi appealed to pilgrims to use alternative ghats for bathing to prevent overcrowding at the main site.
Authorities have launched a probe into the incident, with officials reviewing crowd management protocols to prevent future disasters. Despite heavy deployment of security forces, the sheer number of attendees made it difficult to control the situation.
Maha Kumbh: The World’s Largest Religious Gathering
Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, attracting millions of devotees. While officials had prepared for the crowd surge, the unexpected rush led to fatal consequences, raising concerns over safety measures and event management.
With public outrage growing, political leaders and activists are urging the government to implement stronger safety regulations and ensure better crowd control mechanisms in future religious events.
Source: Web Team, C6N
