Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences over the tragic stampede that occurred in the Mahakumbh Mela area in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, “The death of devotees in the unfortunate incident is very sad. Deep condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery.” Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also reacted, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are conducting a complete review of the situation. He urged people to maintain peace. Minister Vijay Chaudhary attributed the incident to excessive crowding, assuring that the administration is closely monitoring the situation.
Leaders Express Condolences
Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav also expressed grief, calling the incident “heart-rending.” He wrote on X, “The extremely sad news of the stampede on the banks of Sangam on the day of Mauni Amavasya bath in Prayagraj Mahakumbh and the injury and death of devotees is deeply painful. May God grant peace to the departed souls and a speedy recovery to the injured.” Independent MP from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, not only expressed sorrow but also questioned the response of the central and state governments. He criticized Modi and Yogi for not offering condolences, alleging that they are trying to cover up the incident.
How the Stampede Occurred
The tragic incident took place at Sangam Nose, a sacred confluence where the Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati meet the Ganga. Due to the spiritual significance of bathing on Mauni Amavasya, millions of devotees had gathered at this spot. The Yogi government had estimated that over 10 crore people would visit Prayagraj for the second Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.
Chaos at Midnight
The stampede occurred around 2 am when devotees had gathered in large numbers. Some people were sitting near Sangam Nose when a sudden rush of the crowd created panic. The barricades broke due to the overwhelming number of people, and several women fainted in the crush. As soon as they fell to the ground, a stampede ensued, leading to tragic casualties.
Administrative Preparations and Lapses
Considering the significance of Sangam Nose, the administration had expanded the area for bathing this time. However, the sudden crowd surge led to a breakdown in arrangements. The incident has raised serious questions about the crowd management measures in place during the Mahakumbh, which sees one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
