Wed Feb 12 16:02:10 UTC 2025: ## Millions Attend Maghi Purnima at Maha Kumbh Mela; Allegations of Police Misconduct Surface

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, February 12, 2025** – Over 19 million devotees participated in the holy bath at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on the occasion of Maghi Purnima, marking a successful completion of the main bathing ritual. The event, which saw pilgrims immerse themselves in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, was hailed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a testament to public faith.

However, the massive influx of pilgrims also led to significant chaos and congestion throughout the Kumbh Mela area. The Samajwadi Party (SP) accused the Uttar Pradesh Police of misconduct, alleging that officers misbehaved with devotees caught in traffic jams, citing instances of violence and assault shown in a shared video. The SP demanded strict action against the officers involved.

In response, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar stated that lessons learned from a stampede during Mauni Amavasya led to improved management for the Maghi Purnima snan. He highlighted a “Build Back Better” approach, incorporating feedback from officials and devotees to ensure smoother participation. The Maha Shivratri snan is scheduled to be the final major bathing event of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

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