Sat Feb 01 12:32:15 IST 2025: ## Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Stampede Kills 30, Sparks Political Row
**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A stampede at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, India, resulted in the deaths of at least 30 pilgrims and injuries to dozens more on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred near the Sangam confluence in the early hours of the morning, has sparked widespread outrage and a political blame game.
According to local authorities, the stampede occurred between 1 AM and 2 AM as a large crowd gathered near the akharas (religious camps) before the Brahma Muhurta (auspicious time for bathing). Barriers reportedly collapsed under the pressure of the surging crowd, causing a crush among waiting devotees. While authorities swiftly established a green corridor for ambulances, transporting 90 injured to hospitals, 30 pilgrims tragically perished. The identities of 25 victims have been confirmed, while five remain unidentified; some victims are from other states, including Karnataka, Assam, and Gujarat. A helpline number (1920) has been issued to assist those affected.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav blamed the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, for the incident. He stated that the Chief Minister has lost the trust of the public and religious leaders and called for his resignation. Yadav further accused the BJP government of downplaying the death toll to avoid paying compensation.
Chief Minister Adityanath, visibly emotional in a press conference, acknowledged the pressure on infrastructure and confirmed that many injured pilgrims have since been discharged from hospitals. The government has announced the deployment of five additional special secretaries and several superintendents of police, including two senior officials who served in Prayagraj during the 2019 Kumbh Mela, to improve crowd management and security measures.
A three-member judicial commission, headed by retired High Court judge Justice Harsh Kumar, has been constituted to investigate the stampede. The commission visited the site on Friday to begin its inquiry.
Reports indicate that post-mela travel has been severely hampered by traffic congestion and roadblocks around Prayagraj, causing significant hardship for returning pilgrims. Several politicians have criticized the government’s handling of crowd control and the lack of provisions for stranded pilgrims.
In addition to the stampede, an FIR has been filed against an individual for spreading false and inflammatory messages online regarding the Kumbh Mela. The event also saw controversies surrounding the appointment of a new Mahamandaleshwar in the Kinnar Akhara, leading to internal disputes within the religious order.
The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is expected to draw millions of pilgrims throughout its duration. This tragic event raises serious questions about crowd management and safety protocols at such large-scale events.
First Piper 