Thu Jun 12 10:00:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Indian opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav are accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of suppressing the death toll from a stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. They cite a BBC report claiming 82 deaths, significantly higher than the official figure of 37. Both leaders criticize the BJP government, alleging a pattern of concealing the truth about tragedies and a lack of accountability for the poor.

**News Article:**

**Opposition Accuses Uttar Pradesh Govt. of Suppressing Kumbh Mela Stampede Death Toll**

**New Delhi – June 12, 2025:** Leading opposition figures are levelling accusations against the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging the suppression of the death toll resulting from a stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela earlier this year.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav have both cited a BBC report indicating a much higher number of fatalities than the official figure released by the state government. The BBC report claims 82 people died in the January 29 stampede, a stark contrast to the official count of 37.

“BBC report reveals that figures of deaths in Kumbh Mela stampede were hidden. Like in COVID, the bodies of the poor were erased from the statistics,” Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of a pattern of suppressing truths after major tragedies. He further stated, “This is the BJP model – if there is no counting of the poor, then there is no accountability either!”

Yadav echoed these sentiments on Tuesday, stating that those who provide false statistics are not worthy of public trust. He called the reported discrepancy in the death toll a lie.

The allegations have ignited a political firestorm, with the opposition demanding accountability and transparency from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the incident. The government has yet to respond to the specific claims made by Gandhi and Yadav. The Maha Kumbh Mela, a significant religious gathering, draws millions of pilgrims and proper safety measures are expected to be in place. Any allegations of cover-ups of tragedies at such large events are deeply worrying.

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