On Saturday (25th January), Congress leader Hussain Dalwai courted controversy by labelling the Maha Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj as ‘unhygienic’. He also claimed that the Hindu festival, held once in 12 years, was leading to spread of diseases.
While speaking to news agency IANS, he, at the very onset, attempted to mock the Hindu belief of ‘washing away the sings’ by taking a dip in the Holy Ganga river.
“Many people bathe in the Ganga river. Imagine the level of dirt. The unhygienic conditions in which the devotees reside can lead to spread of diseases on a large scale,” Hussain Dalwai brazened out.
Mumbai: Congress leader Hussain Dalwai on #Mahakumbh2025 says, "People across the country have faith in religion. A large number of people go there to take a holy dip, but it is likely that the area may become unhygienic. This could lead to widespread diseases, which must be… pic.twitter.com/E2pVs1ROA2
— IANS (@ians_india) January 25, 2025
The Congress leader then cited the example of Hajj (Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) and recommended that the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government emulate Saudi Arabia and make similar arrangements for devotees in Prayagraj.
