Key Highlights:
- Stampede Aftermath: Tragic stampede during Maha Kumbh’s Mauni Amavasya Snan left 30 dead and several injured near Sangam Nose.
- Shankaracharya’s Outrage: Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, a prominent spiritual leader, criticized CM Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of hiding the truth about the fatalities and demanded his resignation.
- Political Backlash: Opposition parties targeted the state government for mishandling crowd management and concealing facts about the stampede.
- Hindu Rituals Ignored: Shankaracharya revealed that the saint community was unable to mourn the dead due to the government’s initial claim that no deaths had occurred, calling it a betrayal of tradition.
- CM’s Congratulatory Posts Condemned: Yogi’s social media posts congratulating Mauni Amavasya festivities drew ire amidst the tragedy.
Prayagraj: The tragic stampede on Mauni Amavasya during the Maha Kumbh, which claimed 30 lives, has sparked a storm of criticism against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Spiritual leader Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, visibly upset, has accused the state government of misleading the public and called for Yogi’s resignation while the Kumbh festival is still ongoing.
In an emotionally charged press interaction, the Shankaracharya expressed his grief and anger over the government’s delay in acknowledging the incident, stating:
“We were told there were no deaths. This is a complete betrayal of the saint community and our traditions. The Chief Minister must explain why he lied to the public and why he attempted to cover up such a grave tragedy.”
“We Were Cheated,” Says Shankaracharya
The Shankaracharya revealed that misleading information from the administration prevented the traditional mourning rituals for the dead, which form a significant part of Hindu culture.
- On Hiding the Fatalities:
“When someone dies, especially in such incidents, we stop eating food as a mark of respect for the soul. We were not allowed to fast because the government assured us there were no deaths. This is unacceptable.” - Accusation of Deception:
He alleged that the government tried to suppress details of the incident, calling the Chief Minister a liar: “Our Chief Minister lied to us and the public. Such a leader has no right to remain in office while the Kumbh festival continues.”
Yogi Adityanath Criticized for Insensitive Social Media Posts
Adding to the criticism, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand pointed out that Yogi Adityanath’s social media posts during the tragedy appeared tone-deaf. According to the spiritual leader:
“While people were dying and families were mourning, the Chief Minister was busy posting celebratory messages about Mauni Amavasya’s success, asking people to ignore rumors. This is a disgrace.”
Political Parties Seize Moment to Target CM Yogi
Opposition parties have joined Shankaracharya’s calls for accountability, with leaders questioning the government’s crowd management measures and its transparency.
- Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party): “The BJP government has failed to manage public safety at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. If 30 deaths are the result of incompetence, how many more tragedies do we not know about?”
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Congress): “The silence of the state government speaks volumes about their priorities during Kumbh—it’s about politics, not devotion.”
Stampede Details: What Went Wrong?
The stampede occurred near Sangam Nose on Tuesday night, as a massive influx of pilgrims gathered for the Mauni Amavasya Snan. Reports indicate:
- Mishandling of Crowd Flow: Ineffective use of crowd-holding zones and failure of one-way traffic systems led to overcrowding.
- Pontoon Bridges Closed: Key pontoon bridges remained shut, forcing pilgrims into congested pathways.
- Delayed Response: Emergency services took hours to stabilize the situation due to the sheer volume of people.
Shankaracharya’s Call for Resignation Gains Momentum
The Shankaracharya’s pointed demand that CM Yogi Adityanath resign has added pressure on the state government. He declared:
“The Chief Minister must take moral responsibility and step down immediately. This is not just about the deaths; it is about trust. A leader who lies to his people has no place in public service.”
He also revealed that despite being informed of 58 dead bodies, the government communicated that there were no fatalities, which prevented the saint community from paying their respects.
Aftermath: Kumbh Continues Amid Grief
Despite the tragedy, the ritual bathing by akhadas (Naga sadhus and other sects) resumed by 2:30 PM on Wednesday. The crowd at Sangam continued to swell, with an estimated 7.64 crore devotees taking the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. Helicopters showered flowers on pilgrims throughout the day, offering moments of spiritual solace.
Government Response So Far
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a judicial inquiry, led by former High Court Justice Harsh Kumar, with key members including retired DGP V.K. Gupta and IAS officer D.K. Singh. However, critics argue that these measures come too late.
The inquiry’s findings are expected to focus on:
- Crowd Mismanagement: Why holding areas and one-way plans failed.
- Delayed Communication: Why initial reports of fatalities were suppressed.
- Emergency Services: Examining gaps in disaster response.
Faith Under Scrutiny
The tragedy at Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh has exposed cracks in the administration’s handling of large-scale religious events. With Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand leading demands for accountability and political parties rallying against the government, CM Yogi Adityanath faces mounting pressure to answer for the failures that marred one of Hinduism’s holiest gatherings.
The coming days will reveal whether the government’s response satisfies public grievances or if this incident becomes a defining moment in India’s discourse on faith, governance, and responsibility.
