Oppn claim of thousands dying in stampede regrettable: CM Yogi

Prayagraj: Reacting sharply to Congress and Samajwadi Party's charges to the stampede at Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday, "Mischievous elements have been spreading fake information since the first day of Maha Kumbh, but such conspiracies will never succeed."
Yogi said, "The statement of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge that thousands of devotees died in the Mauni Amavasya stampede in Prayagraj is lamentable and regrettable. It was expected of Kharge, a seasoned leader of the country's oldest party, that he would make a responsible statement in Parliament, but what he said was completely misleading and set a new record in lies."
"While the nation and the world take pride in witnessing the grand celebration of Sanatan Dharma, those who have got ‘supari' to defame Sanatan, are setting new narratives of deceit every day regarding Maha Kumbh," he said.
Describing the opposition's move as unfortunate, the chief minister said Congress and SP wanted to trigger chaos and were hoping "koi bada haadsa ho jaye (some big disaster happens) in Maha Kumbh". Strict action would be initiated against conspirators, said Yogi.
He also said, "Statements by the Congress president and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Parliament are drawing the attention of the people. Their statements not only reveal their anti-Sanatan Dharma stance but also expose their ill-intentions towards Maha Kumbh as there has been incessant effort to spread lies and conspiracy against Maha Kumbh from the very first day. Their statements against Sanatan Dharma are most shameful and condemnable."
The CM dismissed allegations that no data was provided on the Mauni Amavasya incident, stating that both the administration and he had shared the figures publicly. He acknowledged the tragic nature of the incident and emphasized that everyone was deeply saddened by it. He highlighted the quick response of the fair administration, police, NDRF, SDRF, and Civil Defence in ensuring that the injured were quickly taken to hospitals.
He assured that all injured individuals received proper treatment, with some recovering at Prayagraj Medical College while others had returned home. CM Yogi, along with ministers, the chief secretary, DGP, and other officials, personally met the affected individuals.
He mentioned that those hospitalized confirmed there was no lapse in arrangements. Additionally, a judicial commission was immediately formed to investigate all aspects of the incident. Ensuring the safe return of approximately 8-9 crore devotees was the government's top priority, he added.
He continued, "Efforts were being made by the anti-Sanatan people to mislead people on Mauni Amavasya. The statements of anti-Sanatan people and both opposition parties that lakhs of people could not take the holy dip or there was no Amrit or Shahi snan were completely misleading." He also claimed that no tradition was disturbed at Maha Kumbh, and it was a conspiracy to defame Sanatan Dharma.
Yogi also stated that all 13 akharas participated in all three Amrit snans in Maha Kumbh, including Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, and Basant Panchmi. He said over 38 crore devotees attended Kumbh in the past 22 days and millions would be attending in the coming days.
Taking a sharp jibe at SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, CM Yogi criticized his statement about the government's 100 crore announcement, urging him to read official statements properly. "These are people who wake up at noon and simply read out notes prepared by their office staff. They are not leaders but mere readers, making a mockery of themselves and politicians," he added.