- West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accuses the UP government of not revealing the actual number of deaths in the Maha Kumbh stampede.
- The tragic incident took place in the early hours of January 29 during Mauni Amavasya, a sacred day when millions of devotees gathered to take a holy dip.
- Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, have also criticized the state government, demanding accountability for the alleged mismanagement.
Is the real number of casualties being kept secret?
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised serious allegations against the Uttar Pradesh government, accusing it of not disclosing the true death toll of the Maha Kumbh stampede. Speaking at a press conference after the state budget session in West Bengal, she claimed that the government created massive hype about the grand scale of the festival but failed to ensure proper arrangements for the safety of devotees. According to her, the actual number of fatalities could be much higher than the official figures.
The stampede occurred on January 29 in the early hours of the morning as a massive crowd surged toward the holy Sangam in Prayagraj. The Uttar Pradesh government reported that 30 people had died and 60 were injured in the chaos. However, Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav believe the actual toll is being concealed. Yadav has also called for strict action against officials responsible for what he termed as “mismanagement” of the event.
Yadav further criticized the BJP-led UP government for its lack of transparency. He pointed out the irony in how a government that boasts about digital advancements is failing to provide clear data on the number of victims. “They keep chanting digital, digital, digital, but they cannot even reveal the correct digits of deaths,” he remarked in Parliament.
Why is the opposition demanding answers?
The Maha Kumbh is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, and ensuring proper safety measures is crucial. With millions of devotees present, overcrowding at religious sites can be life-threatening. If the allegations made by opposition leaders are true, the situation raises concerns about accountability and governance. Transparency in reporting such tragedies is essential for improving future crowd management and ensuring public trust in the system.
As demands for an independent investigation grow, many await a response from the UP government. Will the real numbers ever come to light, or will the controversy continue to deepen? Only time will tell.
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