Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday criticised opposition leaders for their remarks on the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, accusing them of attempting to tarnish the world's largest religious gathering. CM Yogi Adityanath claimed that misinformation was being spread to malign the event, which is not being organised by the government but by society itself.
CM Adityanath specifically called out West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav for their statements, which he said hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. “More than 56.25 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip in Prayagraj. Spreading fake videos or making baseless allegations against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, or Maha Kumbh is an attack on the faith of these devotees,” he said.
Regarding Mamata Banerjee’s statement that Maha Kumbh had turned into “Mrityu Kumbh,” which was supported by Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath responded, “What kind of statement is this?” He also highlighted Akhilesh’s claim that the term ‘Maha Kumbh’ was coined to waste public money, dismissing it as baseless.
He pointed out the irony of opposition leaders making derogatory remarks while some of them secretly participated in the rituals. “Lalu Yadav called the Kumbh ‘useless,’ yet opposition leaders themselves took a dip in the Triveni Sangam,” he said. Adityanath further declared that if organising events related to Sanatan Dharma is a crime, then his government will continue committing that crime.
Maha Kumbh Belongs To Society, Not Government
The Chief Minister stated that the Maha Kumbh is not a political event but a religious gathering. He dismissed claims that any particular party or group organises it, asserting that the government's role is merely to facilitate the event. “It is our good fortune that our government got the opportunity to be associated with this century’s Maha Kumbh. The country and the world have embraced it, ignoring all the false narratives being spread,” he added.
Adityanath further condemned efforts to politicise the event, stating that despite misinformation, the Maha Kumbh was being successfully conducted. “This event is organised by the society. The government acts only as a servant to fulfil its responsibilities,” he reiterated.
Condolences For Stampede Victims
Addressing recent incidents at the Maha Kumbh, Adityanath expressed condolences for the victims of the January 29 stampede and road accidents involving devotees. He assured support for the affected families while criticizing the opposition for using these tragedies for political gain. “Our sympathies are with the victims and their families, but is it appropriate to politicize such unfortunate incidents?” he questioned.
Opposition's Claims Of Polluted Water Dismissed
The Chief Minister also refuted opposition allegations regarding water contamination at the Maha Kumbh. He affirmed that the water quality was being strictly monitored by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and remained safe for devotees. “The claim that the water is polluted is completely false. More than 55.56 crore people, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have taken a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam,” he asserted.