The Crossbill Team
A stampede-like situation at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh on Wednesday (January 28) led to multiple casualties, with several injuries reported.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Hindustan Times reported that at least 15 people were feared dead. Officials stated that a barrier at the site collapsed, injuring several devotees who were subsequently hospitalized.
However, an exact count of the injured is yet to be determined, said Akanksha Rana, Officer on Special Duty for the Kumbh Mela.
The incident occurred as a massive crowd of pilgrims gathered for a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
Following the chaos, the traditional "Amrit Snan," an important ritual of Mauni Amavasya, was called off by the Akharas, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation and called for immediate relief measures.
"PM Modi spoke to Yogi Ji about the situation at the Kumbh Mela, reviewed the developments, and called for immediate support measures," an official told PTI.
Eyewitness accounts detailed the harrowing moments of the incident. A grieving devotee from Karnataka, standing outside the hospital, recounted the harrowing experience to PTI. She said they had arrived in a group of 60 people on two buses to participate in the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.
“Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled," said Sarojini, tears streaming down her face.
The "Amrit Snan" on Mauni Amavasya is one of the most significant rituals of the Kumbh Mela, expected to draw nearly 10 crore devotees. However, in light of the morning's events, the Akharas decided to cancel their participation.
"Seeing the large and indispensable crowds, Akhara Parishad and all the acharyas have decided that we will not do 'snaan' today. We need to keep the problems faced by the common people in mind. In Indian traditions, saints always pray and work for the well-being of all... Keeping that in mind, all the Akharas have agreed to and refrained from taking a holy dip today. We will joyfully take a holy dip on Vasant Panchmi," Niranjani Akhara Chief Kailashanand Giri Maharaj told ANI.
Despite the Akharas' decision, many ordinary devotees continued to take a dip at the Sangam. Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri explained their stance:
"You would’ve seen what happened in the morning, and that’s why we have decided to… All of our saints and seers were ready for the ‘snan’ when we were informed about this incident. That’s why we have decided to call off our ‘snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya," PTI quoted Puri as saying.
Concerns have also been raised about the increasing influence of VIP culture at the Kumbh Mela, allegedly sidelining common devotees and mendicants.
Reports suggest that the Modi government’s decision to entrust key responsibilities to Ernst & Young while bypassing Chief Minister Adityanath may have contributed to the mismanagement of Mauni Amavasya, potentially exacerbating the crisis.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Hindustan Times reported that at least 15 people were feared dead. Officials stated that a barrier at the site collapsed, injuring several devotees who were subsequently hospitalized.
However, an exact count of the injured is yet to be determined, said Akanksha Rana, Officer on Special Duty for the Kumbh Mela.
The incident occurred as a massive crowd of pilgrims gathered for a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
Following the chaos, the traditional "Amrit Snan," an important ritual of Mauni Amavasya, was called off by the Akharas, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation and called for immediate relief measures.
"PM Modi spoke to Yogi Ji about the situation at the Kumbh Mela, reviewed the developments, and called for immediate support measures," an official told PTI.
Eyewitness accounts detailed the harrowing moments of the incident. A grieving devotee from Karnataka, standing outside the hospital, recounted the harrowing experience to PTI. She said they had arrived in a group of 60 people on two buses to participate in the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.
“Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled," said Sarojini, tears streaming down her face.
The "Amrit Snan" on Mauni Amavasya is one of the most significant rituals of the Kumbh Mela, expected to draw nearly 10 crore devotees. However, in light of the morning's events, the Akharas decided to cancel their participation.
"Seeing the large and indispensable crowds, Akhara Parishad and all the acharyas have decided that we will not do 'snaan' today. We need to keep the problems faced by the common people in mind. In Indian traditions, saints always pray and work for the well-being of all... Keeping that in mind, all the Akharas have agreed to and refrained from taking a holy dip today. We will joyfully take a holy dip on Vasant Panchmi," Niranjani Akhara Chief Kailashanand Giri Maharaj told ANI.
Despite the Akharas' decision, many ordinary devotees continued to take a dip at the Sangam. Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri explained their stance:
"You would’ve seen what happened in the morning, and that’s why we have decided to… All of our saints and seers were ready for the ‘snan’ when we were informed about this incident. That’s why we have decided to call off our ‘snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya," PTI quoted Puri as saying.
Concerns have also been raised about the increasing influence of VIP culture at the Kumbh Mela, allegedly sidelining common devotees and mendicants.
Reports suggest that the Modi government’s decision to entrust key responsibilities to Ernst & Young while bypassing Chief Minister Adityanath may have contributed to the mismanagement of Mauni Amavasya, potentially exacerbating the crisis.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment