Throughout the 45-day chaos at Mahakumbh Mela, repeated stampedes have killed around 100 people. Despite a massive Rs.7,500 crore budget, the stampede on January 29th, left 38-79 (according to various sources) dead. Then on 15th February, a stampede in Delhi railway station caused by confusion in boarding the trains to Kumbh, resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people. Multiple hundreds and thousands have been seriously injured.
Despite scientific temper being a fundamental duty of the citizens of India, there was heavy propaganda from the media and governments promoting the visit to Kumbh, selling it as a free ticket to heaven. This was also followed by the false narrative that this event was auspicious because it was happening after 144 years, causing such a large number of people to come. The preparation for the massive crowds were in stark contrast to the effort put into propaganda. Serious mismanagement, lack of facilities, and political blunders made the supposedly world’s largest religious gathering, hell. Despite expecting crowds of millions to turn up, the Mela authorities and the Uttar Pradesh state government did not in the least prepare to handle crowds of such size.
After the stampedes, the UP state government and the Modi-government continued to deny any deaths from the Mahakumbh. With mounting pressure, they were forced to publicly accept facts. Even then, they kept trying to dilute the severity of the events by downplaying the number of deaths and those injured. All while keeping VIP routes and spaces for celebrities, ministers to reach the venues easier and faster.
India’s central Pollution Control Board reported high levels of fecal coliform at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, indicating sewage contamination. Many people are suffering skin diseases upon return. Post-rituals, the riverbanks were strewn with tons of garbage thrown away by the attendees. The Mahakumbh Mela turned into a political frenzy. The governments must not use human lives and absurd, irrational tactics to fulfill their political aspirations.
