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

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.