Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, alleging that the sacred waters at the event have been severely contaminated due to the improper disposal of bodies from the recent stampede. The actor-turned-politician claimed that the bodies of those who perished in the tragic incident on January 29 were thrown into the river without proper post-mortem examinations, leading to water pollution and raising serious concerns about public health. She accused the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government of neglecting the well-being of ordinary pilgrims while focusing only on propaganda regarding the event’s scale and success.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of January 29 when millions of devotees gathered to take a ritualistic holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The tragedy resulted in at least 30 confirmed deaths and left more than 60 people injured. According to eyewitnesses and reports, the disaster was triggered when an overwhelming number of devotees attempted to bypass barricades, leading to a stampede that crushed many underfoot. Critics argue that inadequate crowd management and poor safety measures contributed to the calamity. It took nearly 18 hours for officials to acknowledge the full extent of the disaster, fueling allegations that the government was attempting to suppress the true death toll.
Bachchan did not mince words when questioning the official figures regarding the number of attendees at the Maha Kumbh. She stated that the government’s claim that crores of people were present simultaneously at the pilgrimage site was unrealistic and misleading. Furthermore, she lambasted authorities for their failure to provide adequate facilities for common pilgrims, alleging that VIP attendees received preferential treatment while the majority of devotees struggled with subpar arrangements. Her statements come amid a broader wave of criticism from the opposition, particularly Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who has accused the government of covering up the real figures of deaths and injuries at the event.
In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented new measures to enhance crowd control and ensure better safety. Authorities have now banned vehicles from entering key zones of the Kumbh Mela grounds and revoked VIP passes to prevent preferential access and streamline crowd movement. However, many opposition leaders remain skeptical, arguing that these measures are reactionary and should have been in place from the beginning to prevent such a catastrophe.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing millions of devotees who seek spiritual purification by bathing in the holy rivers. Given its immense significance, the recent events have sparked concerns over safety protocols, prompting demands for stricter regulations, improved crowd management, and greater accountability from government officials.
