Key Points
- BBC Hindi investigation reveals at least 82 deaths in Kumbh Mela stampede, more than double the official count of 37.
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accuses UP government of hiding true death toll and spreading misinformation.
- Families from over 11 states and 50 districts provided concrete evidence of fatalities unaccounted for in official figures.
- Opposition parties demand transparency and accountability over compensation and death counts.
- Government’s handling of the tragedy, including lack of postmortems and anonymous cremations, faces sharp criticism.
New Delhi: The tragic stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025, continues to haunt the nation not only for the loss of lives but also for the controversy surrounding the actual number of fatalities. While the Uttar Pradesh government officially reported 37 deaths, a recent in-depth investigation by BBC Hindi has uncovered evidence suggesting that at least 82 devotees lost their lives in the disaster.
BBC Hindi’s Extensive Investigation
The BBC’s investigation involved contacting over 100 families across 11 states and more than 50 districts who claimed their loved ones died in the stampede. The report asserts that these families provided substantial proof, including death certificates and eyewitness accounts, to support their claims. This figure starkly contrasts with the government’s official toll and raises serious questions about transparency.
Government’s Official Position and Compensation
The Uttar Pradesh government had announced a compensation package of ₹25 lakh for families of the deceased. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated in the state assembly that 66 devotees were affected near Sangam Nose between 1:10 AM and 1:30 AM, with 30 confirmed deaths there and an additional 7 deaths elsewhere, totaling 37.
However, the BBC report categorizes the deceased into three groups:
- Those officially counted and compensated ₹25 lakh.
- Those not included in official numbers but who received ₹5 lakh compensation.
- Those who died but whose families received no compensation.
Political Backlash: Akhilesh Yadav’s Scathing Criticism
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav took to social media platform X to share the BBC report, accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of lying and concealing the true death toll. He emphasized that misinformation cannot suppress the truth and questioned the credibility of officials who provide false statistics.
“Fact vs Truth: 37 vs 82. This report is not the end; it is the beginning of the search for the great truth about the deaths that occurred at Maha Kumbh and the money associated with them,” Yadav wrote.
He also condemned the government for allegedly distributing unaccounted cash compensation and demanded transparency regarding the source and distribution of these funds.
Opposition Demands Transparency and Accountability
Other opposition voices, including Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and the All India Trinamool Congress, echoed calls for a full and transparent investigation. They accused the BJP-led government of playing politics over the tragedy and covering up criminal negligence.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Insensitivity
Reports have emerged that many victims’ bodies were handled insensitively some were cremated anonymously, others thrown into the Ganges, and many were not given proper postmortems. Investigations by media outlets like Newslaundry and Dainik Bhaskar have also suggested that the death toll could be significantly higher than official figures, with some deaths attributed to natural causes to mask the true impact.
The Human Cost and Need for Justice
The tragedy and ensuing controversy have left thousands of families grieving and demanding justice. Many relatives remain unaware of the fate of their loved ones due to incomplete or inaccurate records. The Kumbh Mela stampede has thus become not only a story of loss but also of alleged governmental opacity and failure.
