Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, an Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnia constituency, sparked a controversy on this ill-fated tragedy concerning the Mahakumbh Mela during a recent Lok Sabha session.
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address on February 5, Yadav suggested that if politicians and rich people attending Mahakumbh were there to die, it would be a quickest route for them to attain moksha.
Moreover, he alleged that between 300 to 600 bodies were removed from the Kumbh area after the stampede of January 29, 2025, and that their funerals were not held in accordance with Hindu rituals.
Allegations of Underreported Casualties
Yadav’s statements have heightened the ongoing debate surrounding the official death toll for the Maha Kumbh stampede.
The Uttar Pradesh government has reported 30 deaths and around 60 injuries in the incident. However, opposition leaders led by the chief of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, insist these numbers have purposely been suppressed.
Akhilesh Yadav charged that the government caused the tragedy’s bodies to be taken away by bulldozers and tractors and rebuked the administration for failing to acknowledge the full extent of the tragedy.
Government’s Response and Defense
In response to the allegations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the prompt administrative action taken in the wake of the stampede.
He stated that the injured were given medical attention within minutes and that precautions were enforced to prevent any remaining pandemonium.
The Chief Minister denied under-reporting allegations, asserting that the government has been transparent in its endeavor to tackle the incident.
Political Storm and Public Outcry
Reactions have poured in from various political quarters for Pappu Yadav’s remarks. Critics have accused the comments of insensitivity, especially toward the families of the dead.
Supporters, however, believe Yadav’s statements bring to light the perceived governmental indifference that must be actionable. The controversy has further polarized support.
Mahakumbh Mela: A Brief Overview
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the biggest religious congregation in the world that is organized regularly every 12 years, with millions of devotees thronging the banks of the Ganges River.
The 2025 event in Prayagraj drew tremendous numbers of pilgrims and proved challenging to the management of the crowd.
The stampede that occurred on January 29 happened during the second Shahi Snan (royal bath) on Mouni Amavasya, a day deemed most auspicious. As eyewitnesses report, overcrowding and violations in public safety measures might have led to the disaster.
Demands for Accountability and Safety Measures
Following the incident, there are being raised demands for thorough investigation over the causes of the stampede for punishing persons for lapses in safety measures.
The supporters of pilgrims’ safety urge better planning, construction of devoted access infrastructure, and simultaneous monitoring for the anticipated management of the crowded sleep of pilgrims and tourists.
They have also called for the establishment of technical systems, such as crowd analytics and early warning systems, that can help avert such tragedies.
The Maha Kumbh stampede has not only claimed a large number of lives but has also given rise to a significant political debate on accountability, transparency, and the responsibilities of powers that be.
The process of investigation will go on, but build-back actions for the victims are plain. The incident itself stands as an ominous reminder of rational insights into the importance of safety and preparedness capable of ensuring the successful management of such large religious gatherings.
