BJP MP and actor-turned-politician Hema Malini on Tuesday (February 4) downplayed the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, stating that the incident was “not very big” and was being “exaggerated.”
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Hema Malini, who had also taken a dip at the Maha Kumbh on the day of the incident, insisted that the congregation was well managed, PTI reported.
“We had gone to Kumbh. We had a nice bath. Everything was well managed. It is right that the incident (stampede) took place. Itna kuch bada nai hua tha (it was not a very big incident). I don’t know how big it was. It is being exaggerated. It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well. So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage but we are doing our best,” she said.
When asked about allegations from the Opposition that the government was concealing the actual number of casualties, she dismissed them, stating, “They will say whatever they want to. It is their job to say wrong things.”
The ruling BJP, however, hinted at a possible conspiracy behind the stampede, asserting that those responsible would eventually be exposed and “hang their heads in shame” once the probe was completed.
The stampede occurred on January 29, during Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar.
According to official figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government, at least 30 people lost their lives, and 60 others sustained injuries in the pre-dawn chaos at the Sangam area.
The incident has once again brought concerns over crowd management at large religious gatherings into the spotlight, with questions being raised over the preparedness of authorities in handling such massive congregations.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Hema Malini, who had also taken a dip at the Maha Kumbh on the day of the incident, insisted that the congregation was well managed, PTI reported.
“We had gone to Kumbh. We had a nice bath. Everything was well managed. It is right that the incident (stampede) took place. Itna kuch bada nai hua tha (it was not a very big incident). I don’t know how big it was. It is being exaggerated. It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well. So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage but we are doing our best,” she said.
When asked about allegations from the Opposition that the government was concealing the actual number of casualties, she dismissed them, stating, “They will say whatever they want to. It is their job to say wrong things.”
The ruling BJP, however, hinted at a possible conspiracy behind the stampede, asserting that those responsible would eventually be exposed and “hang their heads in shame” once the probe was completed.
The stampede occurred on January 29, during Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar.
According to official figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government, at least 30 people lost their lives, and 60 others sustained injuries in the pre-dawn chaos at the Sangam area.
The incident has once again brought concerns over crowd management at large religious gatherings into the spotlight, with questions being raised over the preparedness of authorities in handling such massive congregations.
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