Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Monday, claimed “thousands” died at the ongoing Maha Kumbh without providing evidence to back his claim and days after the Uttar Pradesh government confirmed 30 deaths in an unfortunate incident last month.
Kharge’s outlandish claims attracted protests from treasury benches and VP Dhankar, who asked him to authenticate his claim of a thousand deaths at the Maha Kumbh.
Kharge clarified that his statement was an estimate and invited the government to provide the actual figures if his numbers were incorrect.
Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge says, "I said "thousands," but I didn't mean it in a way to blame anyone. Just give the information about how many actually died, how many are missing, at least that much. If I'm wrong, fine, I'll apologize. But… pic.twitter.com/5PS9asiv1d
— IANS (@ians_india) February 3, 2025
He expressed willingness to be corrected, stating, “I did not say ‘thousands’ to accuse anyone. But at least disclose how many people lost their lives. If I am wrong, I will apologise. The government should provide data on the number of deceased and missing persons.”
The stampede occurred during the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, on January 29. According to Uttar Pradesh government data, 30 people died, and 60 were injured.
Kharge’s disinformation on Maha Kumbh intriguingly coincides with bizarre remarks made by another opposition leader, giving an impression of a well-coordinated attack to malign the UP government and muddle facts about the largest congregation in the world, Maha Kumbh.
Alleging a massive administrative failure, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav claimed that “thousands had died,” with some bodies “thrown into the Ganga” and others “buried.”
Yadav accused the state government of suppressing the actual death toll, alleging that officials were instructed not to report numbers exceeding 30. However, he did not present any evidence to substantiate his claims, relying instead on accounts from “eyewitnesses.”
The Samajwadi leader further claimed that families were being bribed with Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 to remain silent and avoid post-mortem procedures. Again, he did not provide any evidence for this claim and made a sweeping comment while talking to media persons outside Parliament. Despite the serious accusations, no formal complaints or credible eyewitness accounts corroborating such widespread fatalities were presented by Ram Gopal Yadav or any other opposition leader.
Despite the UP government confirming 30 deaths due to a stampede-like situation that occurred last week, two opposition MPs have reiterated the exaggerated claim of “a thousand deaths.” This seems to indicate an alleged attempt to discredit the Maha Kumbh and, by extension, the Yogi Adityanath government, regarding the organization of one of the largest and most unique gatherings of Hindus in the world.
After 144 years, the Maha Kumbh is taking place in Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The Sangam has been blessed by the auspicious presence of various sadhus and seers. Hindu scriptures highlight the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh, making it a once-in-a-lifetime aspiration for every Sanatani to take a holy dip in the Prayagraj Kumbh. According to Hindu beliefs, completing the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage requires not only bathing at the Triveni Sangam but also seeking darshan of the sacred Akshayvat.
Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious and cultural gathering, deeply rooted in scientific principles. Astronomically, Ardha Kumbh, Purna Kumbh, and Maha Kumbh occur when celestial bodies align in specific formations. The earliest written records of the Kumbh appear in the travel accounts of Chinese explorer Huen Tsang, though religious texts trace its origins to the beginning of the universe.
The Atharva Veda references the Kumbh Mela, mentioning phrases like Chaturtha Dadami and Poorna: Kumbhoshadhikaal Aahitastam. However, 14th-15th century scholar Sayana and 17th-century scholar Udgeethas clarify that the first phrase praises the Vishtari Yajna, while the second refers to ‘divine time.’ In this context, ‘Kumbh’ signifies a ‘water pot’ rather than the festival itself.
The Yogi Adityanath government finds itself in a unique position to organise such an auspicious and august gathering. Large-scale arrangements and unprecedented budget overlays have been sanctioned to ensure pilgrims coming from different parts of the country have a comfortable, pious, and effortless yatra to the Sangam. While the unfortunate tragedy has cast a pall over the Maha Kumbh and exposed administrative lapses, the government has been nimble in addressing the issues and prioritising the safety of the pilgrims.
The opposition parties have already grown restless, first with the return of Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh in 2022, and then with the return of PM Modi at the Centre in the 2024 general elections. It didn’t help matters that opposition parties lost key states in Maharashtra and Haryana shortly after the Lok Sabha elections, adding to their ongoing predicament, even as chinks in their so-called “unity” stands exposed, most glaring in the campaigning during the Delhi elections, with Rahul Gandhi pulling no punches against Aam Aadmi Party, a member of INDI alliance.
With Uttar Pradesh gearing up for elections in just about two years, the opposition parties perhaps realise the enormity of Maha Kumbh and what its successful organisation could spell for Yogi Adityanath, a dynamic saffron-clad chief minister whose zero tolerance for mafias and bulldozer justice has already had the votaries enthralled. Therefore, the recent attacks in the parliament and the readiness to fear-monger over Maha Kumbh betrays the desperation among the opposition leaders, who find no qualms in exploiting one of the holiest congregations of Hindus.
