Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede: Whether it’s an election or a religious event, India is always known for its huge crowds. Today, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, Prayagraj reported a massive influx of devotees from different states.
This created havoc, which consequently led to a stampede-like situation. Despite efforts from the police department and volunteers, the situation remained uncontrollable.
After witnessing the chaos, the Akhara Commission decided to drop their plan for the holy dip, as the heavy flow of devotees overwhelmed the police barriers. Due to the overcrowding, many women fainted and collapsed.
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government announced Rs. 25 Lakhs as compensation to the families of people who lost their lives in Maha Kumbh Mela, yesterday. Additionally, Yodi Adityanath expressed his deepest condolences and support to the families of the deceased people.
When did the Incident Happen?
According to media reports, the incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. when some devotees, in a rush to take the holy dip, attempted to cross the barricades. This led to a Maha Kumbh Mela stampede-like situation, resulting in the deaths of several devotees and leaving many others seriously injured. As per the media reports, 30 people died and 60 people were seriously injured at Maha Kumbh Mela on the day of Mauni Amavasya on January 29th, 2025.
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Early this morning, a massive crowd surged towards Triveni Sangam for the sacred bath, creating intense pressure in the area. Around 1 to 2 a.m., chaos erupted as some individuals attempted to leap over the barricades, resulting in severe injuries to several pilgrims. The injured were immediately taken to the hospital, where they received prompt medical attention. However, the situation is now under control.”
Adityanath further stated, “PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are continuously monitoring the situation and assessing developments.”
What Did Opposition Parties Say About This?
On the Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede, some opposition parties, including Congress, criticized the handling of the event, calling it “mismanagement” and blaming “VIP culture.” Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge described the event’s management as “half-baked” and accused officials of “paying more attention to self-promotion.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also commented, saying, “The tragic incident can be attributed to mismanagement and the prioritization of VIP culture over the safety and needs of ordinary devotees.”
Major Changes After the Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede Incident
This Mauni Amavasya on January 29, 2025, became a scary day as several people died and were injured due to the uncontrollable crowd. After that incident, the UP government took some strict actions, let’s check what they are:
#1 Announced a ‘no-vehicle zone’ as vehicles consume more parking space which creates difficulties in managing crowds.
#2 Earlier, VVIP pass holders could get easy entry but now the UP government canceled VVIP passes, which means vehicles with special passes don’t get entry at the Maha Kumbh Mela.
#3 UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath indicated that “there should be no traffic jams in Maha Kumbh Mela area.” to the managing authorities of the Kumbh Mela.
#4 The UP government shifted all the street vendors to empty areas so that the traffic could not be affected.
#5 Authorities have directed law enforcement personnel such as Police Officers to enhance surveillance and patrol activities in the Mela vicinity and make sure there is a smooth flow of traffic along key highways such as Ayodhya-Prayagraj, Kanpur-Prayagraj, Fatehpur-Prayagraj, Lucknow-Pratapgarh-Prayagraj, and Varanasi-Prayagraj. Additionally, all exit routes leading out of Prayagraj must be kept clear and free from any obstructions to ensure seamless movement.
#6 To prevent another Maha Kumbh Mela stampede situation like the one that occurred yesterday at Mauni Amavasya, CM Yogi Adityanath directed authorities to install barricades for better crowd management.
#7 Observing the huge crowds of devotees at railway stations across Prayagraj, ready to depart after their sacred rituals, CM Adityanath emphasized the need for their safe and smooth journey. He instructed the Additional Director General (ADG) and the Prayagraj District Magistrate (DM) to closely monitor the seamless movement of all pilgrims. To manage the crowd, concerned authorities were directed to deploy additional special trains and also increase the number of buses.
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