Tragedy at the Maha Kumbh: Stampede at Sangam Claims 30 Lives, Sparks Political Storm.
||Black & White Digital News||
||Tejveer Singh January 30,2025 ||
Prayagraj : In a tragic turn of events, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati at Prayagraj became the site of a devastating stampede in the early hours of Wednesday. The disaster, which struck during the Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh Mela, has claimed 30 lives and left 60 others injured, according to Vaibhav Krishna, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mahakumbh. While 25 of the deceased have been identified, efforts are underway to confirm the remaining victims.
The catastrophic incident occurred around 2:00 AM at the Sangam Nose, one of the holiest bathing points, when a barrier at the main bathing ghat collapsed, triggering a wave of panic among tens of thousands of pilgrims. As desperate cries filled the air, devotees were trampled underfoot, while others struggled to navigate the surging crowd. Witnesses described a scene of chaos and horror—shoes, bags, and personal belongings lay scattered across the riverbanks, as ambulances and emergency teams rushed in to assist the injured.
PM Modi, Amit Shah Express Grief; Rajnath Singh Calls It ‘Painful’:
The tragedy has drawn nationwide attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives. Taking to social media, he posted:
> “The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones. I also wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in all possible help to the victims. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed similar sentiments, writing in Hindi on X:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took place at Maha Kumbh. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. The administration is treating the injured in hospitals. I am in constant touch with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the local administration.”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as “painful” and assured that the Uttar Pradesh government and local administration were providing all possible help to the victims.
Opposition Slams BJP for ‘VIP Culture’ & ‘Mismanagement’:
While the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has reassured the public that the situation is under control, opposition parties have launched scathing attacks, accusing the BJP-led state government and Centre of negligence and mismanagement.
Religious leaders, including Premanand Puri, condemned the administration for prioritizing VIP arrangements over general devotees.
“The administration was busy serving the VIPs. Every VIP who attended the Mahakumbh was catered to by the authorities, while preparations for the general devotees were neglected,” alleged Premanand Puri in a widely circulated video.
Eyewitness Horror: A Night of Chaos and Despair:
Pilgrims who survived the ordeal narrated chilling accounts of how the festivities turned into a nightmare. “I saw people falling one over the other. Some were gasping for breath, while others cried for help. There was no space to move,” said a survivor from Bihar, still shaken by the trauma.
BBC reports painted a grim picture, with bodies lying motionless amid scattered blankets and personal belongings. Videos from the scene showed panicked devotees attempting to flee as announcements urged them to use alternative ghats to ease congestion.
Authorities suspended the Amrit Snan for nearly 6 to 8 hours, resuming it later under heavy security deployment.
400 Million Pilgrims Expected; NASA Shares Maha Kumbh’s Cosmic View:
Despite the tragedy, the Maha Kumbh Mela continues to draw global attention, with NASA astronaut Don Pettit sharing a stunning satellite image of the festival from the International Space Station (ISS).
> “2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges river pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit,” wrote Pettit on X.
With the festival set to conclude on February 26, authorities estimate that over 400 million devotees will have attended the Maha Kumbh—a staggering number that underscores both the spiritual significance and the logistical challenges of the event.
UP Govt Announces ₹25 Lakh Compensation, Judicial Probe Ordered:
In response to mounting criticism and public outcry, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced ₹25 lakh as financial aid to the families of the deceased. Additionally, he has ordered a judicial probe into the incident, forming a three-member commission led by Justice Harsh Kumar, with former DG VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh.
Adityanath emphasized that the state government had been closely monitoring the situation from multiple control rooms and was in continuous communication with officials.
Calling the tragedy “heart-wrenching,” he assured that senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and DGP, would visit Prayagraj for further assessment. The judicial panel will submit its findings within a set timeframe, aiming to identify lapses and prevent future disasters.
As Maha Kumbh Continues, Safety Remains a Top Concern:
With millions more expected in the coming weeks, the focus now shifts to ensuring the safety of devotees and preventing further mishaps. As investigations continue, authorities are under immense pressure to reinforce crowd management protocols and implement additional safety measures to avoid another catastrophe.
For now, Prayagraj mourns its dead, as the world’s largest spiritual congregation presses on, albeit under a cloud of sorrow and scrutiny.
