Multiple casualties are feared after a “stampede-like” situation broke out at the Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday. While the exact figures remain unclear, officials said that the injured have been taken to the central hospital established at the Kumbh grounds.
At least 10 crore pilgrims were expected to flock to the Maha Kumbh mela today to take a dip in the river on the holy occasion of “Mauni Amavasya”. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked devotees to avoid going to the Sangam, where the incident took place. He added that authorities, including the Chief Secretary, DGP and the Principal Secretary (Home), are taking stock of the situation.
What caused the stampede? What’s the current situation at the Maha Kumbh mela? Here’s what we know so far.
- 01
What caused the stampede at the Maha Kumbh mela?
The stampede was caused around 2 am on Wednesday as a sea of tightly-packed crowds converged at the Sangam, where the Yamuna and Ganga rivers meet.
Citing officials, news agency PTI reported that a barrier broke at the Sangam, resulting in several injuries. The exact count of those injured remains unclear. Witnesses have described chaotic scenes, stating that many people fell down and there was pushing from all sides.
CM Adityanath said that the stampede was caused due to heavy crowds. He added that some devotees were injured when they tried to hop over the barricades put up by the administration.
- 02
How have authorities reacted?
Senior administrative officials and police officers swiftly reached the site of the incident and the injured were taken to the hospital established at the mela.
Multiple akharas called off the amrit snan (holy dip) in view of the safety of devotees. A team of Rapid Action Force was deployed to ramp up security at the mela.
- 03
PM Narendra Modi dials Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly monitoring the situation and has dialled CM Adityanath at least thrice since the stampede occurred.
Prime Minister Modi spoke to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the situation at the Kumbh Mela, reviewed the developments, and called for immediate support measures,” an official told PTI.
- 04
CM Yogi Adityanath urges: Avoid going to Sangam
CM Adityanath urged devotees to avoid going to the Sangam and take a holy dip at the nearest ghat.
“Take a bath at the nearest ghat of Mother Ganga, do not try to go towards Sangam. All of you should follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in making arrangements,” CM Adityanath posted on X.
“People are bathing peacefully at all the ghats of Sangam. Do not pay any attention to any rumours,” he added.
- 05
‘Half-baked’ arrangements, ‘VIP culture’: Congress slams UP govt over stampede
The Congress party hit out at the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for “half-baked” arrangements at the Maha Kumbh after the stampede-like situation.
In a post on X, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this.”
“Despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, such arrangements are condemnable,” he added.
Echoing Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said, “Mismanagement and the administration’s special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident.”
“There is still a lot of time left for the Maha Kumbh, many more maha snans are to take place. The government should improve the system to prevent a tragic incident like today from happening again,” he said in a post on X.
“VIP culture should be curbed and the government should make better arrangements to meet the needs of common devotees,” Gandhi said.
- 06
Why was there so much crowd at Maha Kumbh today?
‘Mauni Amavasya’ is considered the most holy day of the six-week event. The auspicious period started on January 28 at 7:35 pm and will end on January 29 at 6:05 pm.
‘Mauni Amasvasya’ is called such because it falls on a new moon day (amavasya). ‘Mauni’ is derived from the Sanksrit word ‘maun‘, which means silence. To mark the occasion, some devotees observe silence on this day.
Authorities expect at least 10 crore people to attend the Maha Kumbh today to take a holy dip. The Indian Railways is all set for the biggest train operation from a city. It will run 360 trains, including 190 special trains, across the nine stations in Prayagraj district.
- 07
How UP government geared up for Mauni Amavasya
Authorities have made several arrangements to manage crowds at the Maha Kumbh today. These included:
> No-vehicle zone beyond allotted parking spaces
> No VIP protocol for dignitaries or a pass system for any of the visitors
> Pontoon bridges will have one-way traffic for ease of movement or they will be closed down
> Akharas will be allowed entry and exit on the basis of specific slots allotted to them
- 08
Hand over management of Maha Kumbh to Army: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav suggested that the administration and management of the Maha Kumbh be handed over to the Army instead of the UP government.
Targeting the state government in a post on X, Yadav said: “Now that the truth behind the claims of ‘world-class system’ has been exposed, those who were making these claims and spreading false propaganda should take moral responsibility for the people killed in this accident and resign from their posts.”
- 09
What is the situation at the Maha Kumbh mela now?
Visuals shared by news agencies showed that devotees continued to stream into the mela grounds to take a dip in the river.
In his latest statement, CM Adityanath said that the situation is now “under control”. He added that a few devotees have suffered serious injuries.
Adityanath said about eight to ten crore people have gathered in Praygraj at the moment. He added that officials, including the chief secretary and DGP, are reviewing security arrangements.
CM Adityanath urged people to remain cautious.
- 10
The significance of Maha Kumbh
The 40-day Maha Kumbh mela began on January 13. It’s considered the biggest gathering of pilgrims worldwide.
As far as mythology goes, the Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, marks the end of the 12-day run of Indra’s son Jayant to protect a kumbh (pot) of amrit (exlixir of immortality) from the asuras (demons).
The festival is considered an auspicious time for Hindus, who gather from across the world to take a dip at the Sangam (meeting-point) of the Yamuna, Ganga and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
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