BJP MP Hema Malini on Tuesday strongly criticized Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks in the Lok Sabha regarding the January 29 stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, asserting that the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was exaggerating the incident for political mileage. Dismissing his comments as misleading and opportunistic, Hema Malini accused Yadav of creating unnecessary panic and politicizing a tragic event for his own gain.
Addressing the media, Hema Malini defended the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government’s handling of the grand religious gathering, emphasizing that despite the sheer scale of the event and the massive influx of devotees, the administration had done an exemplary job in managing the arrangements. "The Maha Kumbh is a historic and deeply spiritual event that attracts millions of people from across the country and the world. It is not an easy task to manage such a large congregation, yet the government has ensured smooth and efficient management. The arrangements have been excellent, and everything is being done to provide the best possible experience for devotees," she stated.
She further dismissed Akhilesh Yadav’s allegations, stating that it was his habit to twist facts and spread misinformation. “It is his job to make baseless claims and try to create controversy where there is none. Instead of appreciating the efforts of the government in organizing such a grand event, he is trying to mislead the public with exaggerated statements,” she remarked, accusing the Samajwadi Party leader of attempting to tarnish the image of the Uttar Pradesh administration.
Earlier in the day, Akhilesh Yadav had launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, alleging that the true scale of the tragedy was being concealed. While speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Yadav questioned the government’s transparency and demanded full disclosure regarding the number of casualties.
"While the government is continuously announcing budget figures and highlighting development projects, they must also disclose the actual number of deaths that occurred at the Maha Kumbh. The people of Uttar Pradesh and the country have a right to know the truth. I demand that an all-party meeting be convened to clarify the arrangements for the event. The responsibility for disaster management and the lost-and-found center should be handed over to the Army to ensure complete transparency and accountability," Yadav declared, calling for an impartial probe into the incident.
He further demanded strict action against officials overseeing the Maha Kumbh, alleging that they were complicit in covering up the scale of the tragedy. "There should be an investigation into the mismanagement and failure of the authorities. The people in charge must be held accountable for their negligence. Those who have hidden the truth must be exposed and punished," he stated.
The stampede, which occurred on January 29, reportedly claimed at least 30 lives and left over 60 injured, raising concerns over the effectiveness of crowd control measures and safety protocols at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The opposition has criticized relentlessly, arguing that the state government failed to anticipate and prevent such a catastrophe. However, the BJP has maintained that the event was being managed efficiently and that the administration was taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of devotees.
In response to the criticism, officials from the Uttar Pradesh government reiterated that the Maha Kumbh Mela was a massive logistical challenge that required months of meticulous planning. They highlighted the deployment of thousands of police personnel, medical teams, and emergency response units to handle the large crowds and ensure safety. The government also pointed out that such incidents, while unfortunate, were not uncommon in gatherings of this scale and that every effort was being made to prevent future mishaps.
With political tensions escalating over the issue, the demand for an independent probe and enhanced safety measures at the Maha Kumbh Mela is gaining traction. Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, continue to press for greater accountability, while the BJP remains firm in its defense of the government’s handling of the event. The debate is expected to intensify in the coming days as both sides stand their ground, turning the Maha Kumbh tragedy into a major political flashpoint ahead of upcoming elections.
