Maha Kumbh Stampede Updates: On Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh government implemented stricter measures to improve crowd management and devotee safety. A day after at least 30 people were murdered in an early morning stampede at the Maha Kumbh. It restricted automobile traffic, revoked VIP passes, enhanced security deployment, and removed unnecessary limitations on the pontoon bridges that connect Mela City.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the Maha Kumbh area would be a “no-vehicle zone” until February 4. A day after the conclusion of the next “Amrit Snan” on Basant Panchami, when millions of people are expected to converge at the Ganga-Yamuna confluence. Before the instruction, cars with valid passes were allowed to travel to several camps established at the MahaKumbh location. They stated that the government has also prohibited the entry of four-wheelers and buses from outside Prayagraj until February 4.
What Went Wrong in the Maha Kumbh Stampede?
The rush began in the early hours of Mauni Amavasya, when millions of people, including sadhus and devotees, congregated around the rivers for the ‘Shahi Snan’. The chaos appeared to begin when a throng spilled out of a police cordon, allegedly trampling bystanders.
With updates of the stampede spreading, PM Modi turned to social media to express his sympathies, saying, “The accident that occurred during the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad.” My heartfelt condolences to the worshippers who have lost loved ones in this incident. Along with this, I wish all injured people a swift recovery.
Nonetheless, questions linger, leaving the party looking red-faced. How did months of planning for a massive budget of Rs 7,000 crore and special pledges from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath go wrong? The UP government has attributed the blame to the devotees. “This incident happened because of the massive crowd breaking the barricades and crossing the line. Around 30 people have died, and 36 injured are undergoing treatment in Prayagraj. The remaining injured have been taken away by their family members.” States Adityanath.
Kumbh Politics
The episode has sparked a political slugfest for the BJP, with opposition figures blaming the party for mistakes. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, took a swipe at the Adityanath government. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav demanded that the government give over control of the Kumbh to the army. “Mismanagement and the administration’s special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are to blame for this tragic incident,” claimed the minister.
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