On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav, a leader from the Samajwadi Party, said the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government is hiding the true number of deaths from the stampede at the Mahakumbh festival. During a discussion in Parliament about the President’s speech, Yadav asked for penalties against officials who he believes tried to cover up the mismanagement that occurred.
He said, “While the government shares budget numbers, it should also share how many people died during the Kumbh festival. We need to see how many were treated, how many received medicine, and how the arrangements for food, water, and transport were.”
Yadav suggested that the government used heavy machines to help hide the bodies scattered at the festival site after the stampede. “People came to seek blessings but had to leave carrying their loved ones’ bodies,” he said. He also pointed out that the government threw flower petals from helicopters while the victims’ bodies lay in the mortuary, raising questions about their respect for traditions.
Additionally, Yadav noted that UP’s Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, took a long time—about 17 hours—to express his sadness about the incident, which Yadav found troubling.
In contrast, BJP MP Hema Malini described the stampede as a “minor incident.” She stated, “Yes, an incident happened, but it wasn’t as big as people are saying. We did our best to manage such a huge gathering.”
The stampede unfortunately resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, and more than 60 were injured during the Shahi Snan ritual at the festival.
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