NEW DELHI: Half-baked arrangement, VIP movement and self-promotions by VIPs led to the stampede in the Maha Kumbh resulting in the loss of lives, the Congress has said.
In a statement, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded curb on VIP movements at the congregation site to ensure safety of devotees.
“The news of many people losing their lives and many more getting injured in the stampede on the banks of Tirtharaj Sangam during the Maha Kumbh is heartbreaking”, Kharge said in a post on X.
“Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured”, Kharge added.
“Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, more focus on self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this. Such arrangements despite spending thousands of crores of rupees are condemnable”, the Congress president said.
He said many important ritual baths are still left. The Central and state governments should wake up now and make sure that such unpleasant incidents don’t happen in future, Kharge wrote in his post.
“Arrangements for accommodation, food, first aid and movement of devotees should be expanded and VIP movement should be curbed. This is what our saints and sages also want”, the Congress leader said.
He urged Congress workers to help the victims and their families in every possible way.
Multiple casualties were feared after a “stampede-like” situation broke out at the Sangam on Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the VIPs who have been photographed taking ritual bath at the Maha Kumbh earlier.
Kharge recently remarked that dip in the Ganga river during the Maha Kumbh would not solve the problem of hunger in the country and added that BJP leaders were queuing up for the ritual bath to exploit the religious sentiment of the Hindus.
The remark drew sharp reaction from the BJP.