Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has sparked controversy with his sharp remarks on the Kumbh Mela and the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which claimed 18 lives and left dozens injured. Yadav called the “Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faaltu hai kumbh” and held the Railways responsible for the tragic stampede, demanding accountability from the Railway Minister.
Yadav’s Controversial Remarks on Kumbh Mela
In a statement that has drawn widespread attention, Yadav dismissed the significance of the Kumbh Mela, calling it “Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faaltu hai kumbh.” His comments come at a time when millions of devotees are gathering in Prayagraj for the religious festival, which is one of the largest gatherings in the world.
Outrage Over Delhi Stampede
Yadav also expressed his grief over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which occurred on Saturday night. “A tragic incident has taken place. We pay our respects to the deceased. This is the Railways’ fault. The negligence of the Railways led to this disaster. It is a failure of the Railways, and the Railway Minister should take responsibility,” he said.
The stampede, which took place on platforms 14 and 15, resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including women and children, and left 12 others critically injured. Most of the victims were from Bihar and Delhi, with nine from Bihar, eight from Delhi, and one from Haryana. The injured are currently being treated at Lady Hardinge Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi.
Railways’ Official Statement
#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station | Patna, Bihar: Former Union Railway Minister and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav says, “The incident is very unfortunate and I offer my condolences to the victims. This is a mismanagement by the Railway that led to the loss of so many… pic.twitter.com/83icLBvtSm
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025
The Railways has issued an official statement regarding the incident. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railways, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, explained that the stampede occurred when a passenger slipped and fell on the stairs of the foot overbridge connecting platforms 14 and 15. This caused a chain reaction, leading to the tragic incident.
Upadhyay clarified that no trains were cancelled or had their platforms changed at the time of the incident. He added that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter and that the situation at the station is now under control, with all trains operating on schedule.
Calls for Accountability
Yadav’s criticism of the Railways has reignited debates about the management of crowded events and transportation hubs. His demand for the Railway Minister to take responsibility has resonated with many, especially in the wake of the tragic loss of lives.
The stampede has also raised questions about the preparedness of the Railways to handle large crowds, particularly during peak travel seasons and major events like the Kumbh Mela.
With investigations underway and political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav demanding action, the hope is that this tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for systemic improvements in railway safety and management.
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