Wed Jan 29 13:40:00 IST 2025: ## Kumbh Mela Stampede Sparks Blame Game: Accusations of Conspiracy
**Prayagraj, India** – Following a stampede at the Kumbh Mela, a blame game has erupted. Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhara Parishad (a council of Hindu monastic orders), has leveled serious allegations against opposition parties, suggesting a possible conspiracy behind the incident. He has called for a government investigation into this alleged plot.
Puri made these remarks to the media after the royal bath ceremony, stating that the opposition’s actions have been suspicious since the mela began. He specifically mentioned opposition claims that the Kumbh Mela land belonged to them and that bathing in the Ganges was harmful. This follows a call by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav for the army to take over the Kumbh Mela management and for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to resign. Puri’s accusations are widely believed to be directed at Yadav.
Despite the stampede, Puri praised the Chief Minister and the mela administration for their handling of the situation, highlighting the efficient restoration of order after the royal bath, which was moved from morning to evening due to the crowds. He emphasized that the evening bath was successful and that the timing change was irrelevant as the auspicious day of Amavasya was the important factor.
The stampede occurred during the royal bath, a key event drawing massive crowds. The incident has fueled political tensions, with accusations of sabotage adding a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
First Piper 