Prayagraj: A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which resulted in the deaths of 30 people and injuries to 60 others, has sparked political outrage and debate across India.
Hema Malini’s Remarks
BJP Member of Parliament and veteran actress Hema Malini responded to the incident, accusing opposition parties of exaggerating the scale of the tragedy. She stated, “Akhilesh Yadav is spreading falsehoods. We also visited the Kumbh Mela, where large crowds gather. Despite the challenges of managing such a vast crowd, the UP government successfully organized the event. The stampede occurred on Mauni Amavasya day. Thirty lives were lost, and 60 were injured. This is not a large-scale disaster, and they are making it seem more significant than it is.”
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Opposition’s Criticism
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav raised the matter in Parliament, accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of hiding the true number of fatalities. Yadav demanded accountability for those responsible for the tragedy, stating, “The number of deaths is being concealed by the UP government.”
Congress also criticized Hema Malini’s comments, calling them shameful. They attributed the stampede to the BJP government’s mismanagement, accusing the ruling party of attempting to downplay the severity of the incident.
The controversy over the stampede has intensified discussions on the responsibilities of state authorities and the importance of effective crowd management during large-scale religious events.
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