by Ashis Sinha
Lucknow: Ahead of the grand finale of the Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered a sharp rebuttal to his critics, targeting the Opposition for their vocal critiques of the religious event. Speaking at the state assembly, Adityanath took aim at his detractors, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress, while defending the event’s organization and the state government’s handling of it.
Adityanath highlighted the significance of the Kumbh, calling it a sacred gathering where people find what they seek. “Vultures found dead bodies, pigs found filth, but sensitive individuals found the beauty of relationships, traders found business, and devotees experienced clean arrangements,” he said, emphasizing the positive aspects of the festival.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came in response to fierce Opposition criticism, particularly following the stampede earlier this month that resulted in 18 deaths and many injuries. Critics had also voiced concerns about reports of contaminated waters in the Sangam, raising alarms about safety and sanitation during the event.
Adityanath refuted accusations of caste-based discrimination, saying, “No one was stopped from attending Kumbh. Those with good intentions are welcome, but those with ill intent will face consequences if they try to disrupt the event.”
Taking a direct swipe at Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath pointed to past mismanagement during the Kumbh. “Under your leadership, the Chief Minister didn’t even review the event, and you appointed a non-Sanatani to oversee the Kumbh. In contrast, I personally review the Kumbh preparations,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister also criticized the 2013 Kumbh, calling it chaotic and poorly organized. “In 2013, there was corruption, pollution, and water unfit for bathing at the Triveni Sangam. Even the Prime Minister of Mauritius refused to bathe there,” Adityanath added.
The Opposition’s vocal criticism has been fueled by the deadly stampede and concerns over mismanagement. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge stirred controversy by paying tribute to “the thousands who died in Kumbh,” while Samajwadi Party’s Jaya Bachchan claimed that the bodies of stampede victims were being “thrown into the river.”
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also ignited further controversy, calling the event “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Kumbh) due to the deaths from stampedes. Her comments were strongly condemned by BJP leaders, who accused her of hurting religious sentiments.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj, a prominent figure, echoed concerns about crowd management and sanitation. He pointed to the severe traffic jams and long walks for devotees, criticizing the lack of proper infrastructure to accommodate the massive turnout. “The water mixed with sewage was unfit for bathing, yet people were forced to use it,” he said, urging the government to take preventive measures.
Former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav also criticized the scale and expenditure of the Maha Kumbh, adding to the growing list of allegations against the government’s handling of the event.
Despite these criticisms, the Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, is set to conclude on February 26, with the government asserting that necessary arrangements have been made for the safety and well-being of the millions of devotees attending. However, the controversies surrounding the event continue to draw national attention.
