Wed Feb 19 10:27:18 UTC 2025: ## Bitter War of Words Erupts Over Maha Kumbh Stampede

**Lucknow/Kolkata, February 19, 2025** – A fierce political battle has ignited following the January 29th Maha Kumbh stampede that claimed 30 lives. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath vehemently criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her “Mrityu Kumbh” (death Kumbh) remark, accusing her of baseless allegations and playing with the faith of the 56 crore devotees who participated. Adityanath emphasized the government’s support for the victims’ families while questioning the politicization of the tragedy. He highlighted the successful organization of the Kumbh, despite what he called false campaigns.

Banerjee, during a speech in the Bengal Assembly, had criticized the lack of planning and recovery efforts, questioning the number of bodies recovered. She also highlighted the disparity in arrangements for the rich and the poor. This attack followed an earlier accusation of the BJP’s failure to retrieve all 30 bodies.

The BJP’s response was swift and harsh. Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal accused Banerjee of appeasement politics, while Adityanath’s defense of the Kumbh’s organization drew further criticism from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who supported Banerjee’s assessment and questioned the lack of accountability and FIR registration. Surprisingly, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the 46th Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, also criticized the Kumbh organizers for poor planning and alleged attempts to hide the death toll.

The escalating conflict between Banerjee and the BJP, fueled by the stampede and previous disputes, is anticipated to significantly influence the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections. The opposition continues to demand a list of victims and accountability for the tragedy, accusing the UP government of prioritizing VIP visits over the needs of the vast number of devotees. While the UP government celebrates the Kumbh’s success, the controversy surrounding the stampede and its aftermath continues to dominate political discourse.

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