Kumbh Mela Tragedy: 48 Dead in Stampedes, 47 Killed in Road Accidents, Opposition Slams “Lack of Preparedness”

Over the past four weeks, more than 500 million people have gathered at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj to take a holy dip in the sacred river, drawing attendees ranging from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union ministers to industrialists like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, along with international figures like Chris Martin of Coldplay. However, the event has also witnessed tragic incidents, with 48 people losing their lives in two major stampedes—one near Sangam Ghat on January 29, claiming 30 lives, and another at New Delhi railway station on February 15, which killed at least 18. Additionally, a report by ‘The Telegraph’ states that between February 7 and 16, 47 pilgrims lost their lives and 68 were injured in road accidents, with fatalities from traffic incidents surpassing those from the stampedes. The Opposition has criticised both the union and Uttar Pradesh governments, holding them accountable for failing to make adequate arrangements to prevent such accidents.

At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured in stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15. The incident, which occurred on platforms 14 and 15, unfolded as thousands of passengers rushed to board trains heading for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh festival is currently underway. The incident has sparked a massive political storm, with opposition leaders swiftly holding the government accountable for the disaster. Several of them have demanded a full inquiry into the cause of the stampede, which they attribute to “poor crowd management and negligence.”

According to reports, one persistent problem faced by pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh Mela is the exorbitant room rates in Allahabad. As a result, many pilgrims have been forced to stay at overcrowded railway stations, adding to the chaos. The platforms are increasingly crowded, and this has become a major concern for the authorities. At stations like Lucknow, Deendayal Upadhyaya Nagar, Gorakhpur, and Bareilly, passengers were seen running from platform to platform in an effort to catch trains bound for Allahabad. Witnesses reported that stations like Prayagraj Junction, Naini, and Jhusi were packed to capacity.

Previously, 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that occurred during the wee hours of January 29 at the Sangam Ghat area in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Following the stampede, security personnel and rescue workers transported the injured, while personal belongings of the victims, including bags and blankets, were scattered around the scene, similar to what unfolded in New Delhi Railway Station, the platforms were scattered with leftovers of human belongings.

Meanwhile, road accidents have added to the mounting toll of the Kumbh Mela. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has blamed the accidents on "mismanagement at the Mahakumbh." As reported by The Telegraph, since February 7, several deadly accidents have occurred that have claimed the lives of 47 pilgrims and injured as many as 68. The accidents include a minibus crash on the Purvanchal Expressway in Barabanki district that killed four pilgrims and injured 20, and a bus collision near the same spot that claimed the lives of three pilgrims from Jammu. Other tragic incidents include a bus fire on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway that killed one pilgrim, and a collision on the Prayagraj-Mirzapur Highway that claimed 10 lives. Several other road accidents have resulted in fatalities and injuries, with victims coming from various parts of India, including Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi. The incidents highlight the risks associated with the massive movement of pilgrims, underscoring the need for better planning and safety measures.

Samajwadi party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has appealed to the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh to extend the duration of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela. "We appeal to the government that many elderly people, who are 65-plus, 70-plus have not been able to take bath in Maha Kumbh. They want to take a bath and want to participate in spiritual programmes. This is an appeal to the government that at one time there used to be a Kumbh of 75 days. Our demand is that the residents of Prayagraj could not even take a bath, so the Kumbh should be given a further extension,” said Yadav.

The Kumbh Mela has sparked criticism from the Opposition, which accuses the Uttar Pradesh government of concealing the true number of casualties in the stampede. They have also condemned the state government for failing to make adequate preparations for an event of such scale. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the Modi administration, calling the tragedy "extremely heartbreaking" and accusing the government of attempting to "hide the truth" regarding the deaths. He added, "We demand that the number of dead and injured be declared as soon as possible, and the identity of the missing people should also be ensured."

Following the Delhi stampede, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described the incident as a sign of the government's incompetence. "A stampede at the heart of the national capital—this is incompetence at its peak. Where were the special arrangements for an event of this magnitude? The government cannot escape responsibility. This kind of a disaster taking place in the national capital, under the direct watch of the Central Government, shows that the government is utterly incompetent and is only capable of PR, not actual management," KC Venugopal said.

The Opposition argues that administrative shortcomings in managing logistical requirements contributed to the tragic loss of lives and worsened the suffering of the ordinary devotees who flocked to the Triveni Sangam for a holy dip. Additionally, there has been outrage over the special arrangements made for VIPs, including a separate enclosure for their holy dip, while the common people were left to endure overcrowded and dangerous conditions.