Kumbh stampede: Didi hints at lack of planning, sends team to Prayagraj
Times of India | 30 January 2025
12 Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed her sorrow over the stampede at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, which claimed at least 30 lives.
While extending her condolences to the bereaved families, she also hinted at a possible lack of planning behind the arrangements for the religious gathering. In a reference to the recently concluded Gangasagar Mela in the state, the CM said that "planning and care must be maximal" for such large gatherings.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh, which claimed at least 15 innocent lives (the death toll has since been updated). My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved pilgrim families. My learning from our Gangasagar Mela is that planning and care must be maximal in matters relating to pilgrims' lives in vast assemblies of people. Prayers for the departed souls," Banerjee wrote on X.
The CM also instructed a delegation representing the state to reach the Kumbh Mela venue and ensure the safety of all pilgrims from the state. "CM Mamata Banerjee is concerned about the stampede during the ‘sacred bath' on Mauni Amavasya, as many residents of Bengal are present there. In search of relevant information, Nabanna has contacted the Uttar Pradesh government through the Delhi Resident Commissioner," said a senior state official.
However, sources indicate that no specific information has yet been received from the Uttar Pradesh administration. As a result, a delegation from Bengal is now being sent to Prayagraj to assess the situation.
The Trinamool Congress launched a scathing attack on BJP, calling it a "catastrophic failure" that led to the "avoidable loss" of lives. "For @BJP4India, political optics are valued over people's lives! Tragedy struck Uttar Pradesh, as a stampede at the Maha Kumbh claimed at least 15 innocent lives. An event of such magnitude demands not just ceremonial grandeur but meticulous planning and robust safety measures. However, the state administration under CM @myogiadityanath chose to prioritise creating massive hype to draw in crowds and money, completely neglecting their fundamental responsibility of ensuring the safety of devotees. It is their catastrophic failure in emergency preparedness that led to this avoidable loss of life," the party wrote on X.
"An accident is always unfortunate, but this reflects a lack of planning. Many from Bengal are present there, and we have spoken to them. The administration tried to hush up the incident, and what could have been averted with some quick decisions early in the day was not addressed. This is a failure of the administration. We have organised the Gangasagar Mela for many years. The Centre does not provide assistance, yet our top administration remains on the ground. But here, why were so many people allowed to assemble in the middle of the night?" questioned Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
Notably, the number of pilgrims at Gangasagar ranges between 30-50 lakh, compared to the 3 crore who attempted to take a dip at the Kumbh on Wednesday alone.