(Image source from: Ndtv.com)
On Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, responded to his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee regarding her remarks from the previous evening about the loss of 30 lives in the stampede that occurred during last month’s Maha Kumbh. Banerjee criticized the event, labeling it the 'Mrityu' Kumbh, which translates to 'death' Kumbh. Addressing the UP Assembly, an exasperated Adityanath rebuffed her statements, emphasizing that more than 56 crore individuals had participated in the holy bathing at the 'sangam' since the beginning of the Kumbh. He accused Banerjee of making "groundless accusations… akin to undermining the faith of 56 crore people." Additionally, Adityanath expressed his sympathies for the families of those who died in the January 29 incident, as well as for the others who tragically perished in road accidents en route to the Prayagraj gathering. “The government supports them. We will provide assistance in every conceivable manner,” he stated. He questioned the propriety of politicizing such a sensitive issue, further asserting the "good fortune" of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh having the chance to be part of this century's Maha Kumbh. “The nation and the world joined in… disregarding the false narratives,” he added.
Yogi Adityanath was not alone in his criticism of Banerjee; Bihar's BJP president Dilip Jaiswal also condemned her comments, accusing her of engaging in "appeasement politics" and remarked, "As I have previously stated… they are non-believers and only make disgraceful remarks." Their rebuttals followed Banerjee’s pointed critique in the Bengal Assembly, where she lambasted the BJP for its inability to recover all 30 bodies. "This is the 'Mrityu' Kumbh… While I hold great respect for the Maha Kumbh and for Ganga maa, I must point out the lack of planning. How many bodies have been retrieved?” she inquired. Banerjee noted that while arrangements exist for the wealthy and VIPs, charging as much as Rs 1 lakh for tents, there are inadequate provisions for the less fortunate. “Large public gatherings can indeed lead to stampedes, but it is crucial to ensure proper arrangements. What planning did you undertake?” she challenged.
In the past week, Ms. Banerjee criticized the Uttar Pradesh government, asserting that officials have yet to provide a conclusive and precise count of those who perished. "A significant number of individuals lost their lives during the Maha Kumbh tragedy, yet an accurate toll has not been disclosed. There was considerable hype... but no adequate preparations were implemented..." As tensions rise between Mamata Banerjee and the BJP, highlighted by a recent confrontation regarding the heinous rape-murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, these exchanges occur in anticipation of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bengal next year. Ms. Banerjee has secured victories against the BJP in two successive state and national elections, leading to frustration within the saffron party, which is now eager for retribution.
The stampede on January 29 resulted in the deaths of thirty individuals, more than half of whom were women and children. Since that incident, the opposition, spearheaded by Akhilesh Yadav, has persistently demanded a list of the deceased along with accountability. Last week, Mr. Yadav intensified his criticisms, questioning, "Devotees heading to the Kumbh found themselves ensnared in a 300-kilometer traffic jam. Is this what we call 'Viksit Bharat'? A government that cannot even handle traffic? What is the purpose of aiming for the Moon when we are unable to resolve problems on Earth?" He posed these queries in Parliament. Additionally, the opposition has alleged that the UP government has prioritized the interests of VIP and VVIP visitors, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance last week, over the needs of the millions of devotees. Conversely, the UP government and the BJP have praised their relatively successful management of what is considered the largest religious gathering in the world.
