Prayagraj: A tragic stampede during Mauni Amavasya occurred at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday morning as many devotees arrived to take a holy dip in the Ganga. The incident resulted in at least 17 people’s deaths, though officials have yet to confirm the death toll. Multiple ambulances were at the scene, taking the injured people to the central hospital on the fairgrounds to be treated.
The stampede has raised significant doubts over the management and security of the Maha Kumbh, with some alleging that the gathering gave ultimate preference to VIPs over the general public. Questions were also raised about why the Maha Kumbh security was not handed over to the army.
Calls for Army Involvement
Mahant Premanand Puri of Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani expressed anguish over the incident and said, “We had come to the conclusion earlier that the security of the Kumbh be handed over to the army, but no one listened. There was no way for the police to control such a large crowd. My heart is heavy. I directed my coworkers to keep the incident quiet to prevent people from panicking. I am sure this tragedy could have been averted had the Kumbh been under army control,” he added. Many have lost their dead in the stampede, he said, breaking down in tears as he spoke.
Political Reactions
The Samajwadi Party blamed the government for mismanagement, VIP roles, and corruption as reasons for the stampede. “The common man was turned into a spectator, and this stampede and police atrocities, dozens of deaths, including hundreds of persons who became injured,” the party said. They called for proper treatment of the injured, ₹1 crore compensation for the families of the dead, and the bodies to be sent to their homes. The party also condemned the Yogi Adityanath-led government for deaths, attributing them to “government negligence” and seeking transparency over the actual number of deaths.
Government Response
Following the tragedy, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, urged the crowds of pilgrims to bathe at other ghats closer to them without walking towards the Sangam Nose. He encouraged everyone to comply with the administration’s guidance and contribute to maintaining order. “Peaceful bathing has taken place at all the ghats. Ignore all speculations,” he told PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called CM Yogi Adityanath twice in an hour to seek information on the incident and stress the importance of sending help on time. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President, and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also spoke to the chief minister and promised assistance.
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