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Disaster

Congress Attacks Govt Over Kumbh Stampede; Holds VIP Culture, Poor Planning Responsible

Rahul Gandhi attributed the incident to mismanagement and an excessive focus on VIP movement rather than ensuring the safety of common devotees.

Congress Attacks Govt Over Kumbh Stampede; Holds VIP Culture, Poor Planning Responsible

Rescue men rush a stampede victim to hospital at Maha Kumbh. Image: X/@EarthToHeaven__

The Congress on Wednesday (January 29) strongly criticized the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the tragic stampede at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

Rahul Gandhi attributed the incident to mismanagement and an excessive focus on VIP movement rather than ensuring the safety of common devotees.

Gandhi emphasized the need to curb "VIP culture" and urged the government to prioritize better arrangements for pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh. The stampede, which occurred on Mauni Amavasya, a significant bathing day, resulted in multiple casualties, according to officials.

In response to the tragedy, the Akharas canceled their traditional 'Amrit Snan' for Mauni Amavasya, though large numbers of devotees continued to take holy dips at the Sangam and other ghats.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling the loss of lives and injuries “heartbreaking.” He extended condolences to the victims' families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

"Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Congress chief said in a post in Hindi on X..

"Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion and mismanagement are responsible for this. Such arrangements despite spending thousands of crores of rupees are condemnable," he added.
 
He called for improved infrastructure, including better accommodation, food, medical aid, and smoother movement for devotees. 

“The arrangements for accommodation, food, first aid and movement of devotees etc. should be expanded and VIP movement should be reined in. This is what our saints and sages also want," he added.

He also urged Congress workers to provide all possible assistance to the affected families.

Echoing similar concerns, Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences and called for urgent reforms.

"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured," Gandhi said in his post on X.

"Mismanagement and administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident," he asserted.

“VIP culture should be reined in and the government should make better arrangements to fulfill the needs of common devotees,” he added.
 
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also voiced her grief and urged authorities to take immediate action.

"May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," she said in a post on X.

She called for airlifting the injured for urgent medical attention, identifying the deceased, and ensuring their families are promptly informed.

Congress’ media and publicity chief Pawan Khera also blamed the stampede on poor planning and inadequate arrangements. He stressed that with several 'maha snans' yet to take place, the government must deploy additional security forces and entrust event management to a more competent authority than Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He also called for restricting VVIP movements to avoid further chaos.

Meanwhile, Officer on Special Duty for the Kumbh Mela, Akanksha Rana, confirmed that several individuals had been injured after a barrier collapsed at the Sangam. Authorities are yet to determine the exact number of casualties.

The Mauni Amavasya 'Amrit Snan' is considered the most auspicious ritual of the Maha Kumbh, with nearly 10 crore pilgrims expected to participate. This year's event holds special significance due to the rare celestial alignment of 'Triveni Yog,' occurring after 144 years.

The chaos unfolded around 2 AM as the sirens of ambulances and police vehicles disrupted the continuous chants of mantras across the Mela area. The injured were rushed to a central hospital set up within the Kumbh premises, where concerned relatives and senior officials gathered.

The Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, is believed to be the holiest site for Hindus.

Devotees hold the faith that a dip in the waters during the Maha Kumbh, especially on significant bathing days like Mauni Amavasya, cleanses sins and leads to ‘moksha’ or salvation.

With several key bathing rituals yet to take place, opposition leaders have urged the government to take swift corrective action to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims in the coming days.

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