The stampede-like incident at the Mahakumbh Mela near Triveni Sangam last week has escalated into a fierce political battle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP). As millions of devotees gathered for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, an overcrowding situation led to chaos, resulting in casualties. The official death toll, according to the Uttar Pradesh government, stands at 30, but the opposition, led by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, alleges that the actual figures are far higher.
Akhilesh Yadav, speaking in the Lok Sabha, accused the BJP-led Yogi Adityanath government of downplaying the tragedy. He claimed that the administration is misleading the public and suggested that thousands might have died. Echoing his sentiments, SP’s Rajya Sabha member and former actress Jaya Bachchan accused the government of hiding evidence, even alleging that bodies were being dumped into the Ganges to mask the true extent of the disaster.
These claims, however, contrast sharply with reports and footage from the incident. Video clips broadcast on news channels at the time of the stampede depict swift action by the Uttar Pradesh police, who repaired broken barricades and managed the crisis effectively. The official explanation suggests that the chaos resulted from unauthorized movement by overzealous devotees or potential mischief-makers crossing into restricted pathways designated for seers and saints.
While the government acknowledges the tragedy, it maintains that opposition leaders are exaggerating figures for political mileage. According to initial reports, the death toll was estimated at 14-16, later revised to 30. The government questions the basis of SP’s claim that thousands perished. If such a large number of casualties occurred, where is the evidence? Do SP leaders possess credible video footage or documentation?
Adding to the controversy, viral videos on social media reportedly show SP workers, disguised as devotees, chanting pro-Akhilesh slogans and allegedly instigating panic. These clips raise questions about the party’s role in the chaos. Were SP activists involved in orchestrating a political stunt to discredit the Yogi government? Or are these allegations merely an attempt by the ruling party to divert attention from lapses in crowd management?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath swiftly responded to the allegations, asserting that his administration has nothing to hide. He reiterated that the state police acted promptly to restore order and that all injured individuals were given immediate medical attention. Furthermore, he emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were in constant contact with him, offering any necessary support.
Adityanath also announced a judicial inquiry into the incident to ensure transparency. In a veiled warning to SP, he stated that those responsible for creating panic would be held accountable. His remark, “How I deal with rogue elements, you have seen in the past few years,” was seen as a clear indication of his government’s no-tolerance approach toward political mischief-makers.
The SP’s aggressive stance over the Mahakumbh incident is seen as an attempt to revive its political fortunes in Uttar Pradesh, where it has been struggling against the BJP’s dominance. However, if the judicial inquiry refutes SP’s claims, the party risks being perceived as engaging in baseless fear-mongering. On the other hand, if credible evidence emerges that the government is indeed concealing facts, it could be a serious blow to the Yogi administration’s credibility.
As the investigation unfolds, this controversy is poised to shape the political discourse in Uttar Pradesh. The coming weeks will determine whether this is a case of government mismanagement or an opposition-driven political storm.
