Stampede At Maha Kumbh Mela: Over 10 Dead

A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the Maha Kumbh Mela, which has been otherwise proceeding peacefully and with great reverence. On Wednesday, the day of Mauni Amavasya, a much higher number of devotees than anticipated gathered at the event for the holy bath. At the same time, VIPs also arrived in large numbers. Amidst this, a stampede broke out in the heavy crowd, leading to a chaotic and alarming situation.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, centered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is a major religious event, and the state government had made massive arrangements in anticipation of the large turnout. Every day, more than a crore (10 million) devotees perform their holy bath in the holy rivers. The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, had planned well for such large crowds, ensuring smooth operations for over 15 days without any major issues. Devotees were able to take their holy dips peacefully without any major disturbances until this tragic incident.

However, on Mauni Amavasya, a significant day for the Mela, devotees arrived in large numbers to take part in the holy bath, with many arriving late on the night before. The crowds, which were already massive, surged on Wednesday morning, leading to a stampede. Initial reports suggest that over 10 people lost their lives in the incident, while some sources claim the number to be 15. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the exact number of casualties or injuries at this time.

Upon hearing of the stampede, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath immediately contacted each other to inquire about the details of the incident. The central government assured full support and cooperation, expressing their readiness to assist in any way needed.

Meanwhile, there are claims from some religious leaders that the large number of VIPs arriving in the area contributed to the disaster. Authorities were reportedly focused on managing the movement of the VIPs, which, according to some, led to the unfortunate stampede. In response to the tragedy, the Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad announced that they would suspend the holy baths as a mark of respect and condolence for the lives lost in the incident.