A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has claimed at least 30 lives and left 60 others injured, according to Vaibhav Krishna, DIG Mahakumbh. The incident occurred between 1-2 a.m. when a large crowd broke through barricades, causing chaos and casualties. The stampede took place in the Sangam area during the Mauni Amavasya, when millions of pilgrims gathered for the holy dip.
Though the Uttar Pradesh government has not officially confirmed the death toll, leaders from across political parties, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and others, have expressed condolences to the victims' families.
The traditional ‘amrit snan’ ceremony, delayed due to the stampede, resumed later in the afternoon, albeit with a less elaborate procession. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed that some devotees had sustained serious injuries. The stampede occurred at Akhara marg, where devotees climbed over the barricades, leading to the tragedy. Rescue workers and security personnel were seen assisting the injured, while belongings like blankets and bags were scattered around the scene.
Akhilesh Yadav Calls for Army Control Over Maha Kumbh Management After Stampede
Opposition leaders in Uttar Pradesh have criticized the Yogi Adityanath government following the stampede at the Maha Kumbh on January 29, 2025. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav demanded that the management of the world’s largest religious gathering be handed over to the army immediately. U.P. Congress President Ajay Rai also highlighted the failure of the state government, blaming it for the tragic incident.
Yadav further pointed out that millions of devotees were stuck on roads leading to Prayagraj and urged people and NGOs in U.P. to provide food and water for them.
Congress Blames VIP Culture for Stampede
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate criticized the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that the stampede was caused by mismanagement rooted in "VIP culture." She argued that this culture, which prioritizes VIPs over common pilgrims, creates problems and hampers the smooth flow of devotees.
Other Leaders Condole Loss of Lives
Chief Ministers from various states, including Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, expressed their sorrow over the deaths caused by the stampede. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also urged Kannadigas at the event to stay cautious. In Chhattisgarh, CM Vishnu Deo Sai called for patience among the pilgrims and emphasized following the local administration’s instructions.
Bihar Leaders Express Condolences
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav extended their condolences to the victims’ families and wished for a speedy recovery of the injured.
AAP Criticizes Mismanagement and VIP Culture
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held the state administration accountable for the chaos, blaming mismanagement and the disruption caused by VIP culture. AAP leader Sanjay Singh shared distressing scenes from the stampede and called for an immediate end to VIP movements at the Maha Kumbh. He also emphasized the urgent need for better crowd management.
Maha Kumbh Crowds and Assistance
As of 2 p.m. on January 29, over 5 crore people had participated in the holy dip during Mauni Amavasya. Vehicles carrying devotees to Prayagraj were also stuck at the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border due to the overwhelming crowds, prompting officials to arrange food, accommodation, and medical aid for the stranded pilgrims.
Amrit Snan Resumes
The traditional ‘Amrit snan’ ceremony, delayed by the stampede, resumed around 2:30 p.m. The procession was notably smaller than usual and was led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad.
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
January 29, 2025
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