Parliament Budget Session: Govt hiding Mahakumbh stampede death count, claims Akhilesh Yadav

New Delhi : During the Parliament’s Budget Session, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and Member of Parliament Akhilesh Yadav made serious allegations against the government regarding the Mahakumbh stampede and the handling of the event. Speaking during the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha, Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government of failing to provide adequate arrangements for the event, despite their claims of preparing for a massive turnout of 100 crore devotees. He questioned why the government was concealing the true death count from the Mahakumbh stampede, urging for the release of accurate casualty data.

Yadav emphasized the government’s inability to carry out basic tasks during the Mahakumbh, such as the timely performance of the ritualistic ‘amrit snan’ (the holy bath), a significant event in the Kumbh Mela. According to Yadav, the Uttar Pradesh administration was more focused on promoting the event through advertisements than ensuring the safety and welfare of the devotees. He pointed out that, for the first time in the history of the Kumbh Mela, the tradition of performing the ‘amrit snan’ on time was broken, further adding to the government’s mismanagement.

The SP leader called for an all-party meeting to discuss the stampede, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. He criticized the state government’s negligence, especially after the tragic incident that resulted in multiple casualties. Yadav accused the BJP-led government of being more interested in showcasing the grandeur of the event rather than making proper arrangements to handle the large crowds safely.

Yadav’s call for transparency regarding the death toll stems from concerns that the actual number of casualties could be much higher than what the government has publicly acknowledged. He alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government was trying to downplay the severity of the situation by withholding critical data. According to the SP chief, this was a clear example of the government’s failure to prioritize the lives and safety of the devotees over its political and publicity agenda.

The Mahakumbh stampede, which occurred during the Kumbh Mela, resulted in a tragic loss of life and raised serious questions about the preparedness of the authorities to manage such a large-scale event. Yadav’s remarks reflect the growing concerns of opposition parties, who are demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and greater accountability from the state government.