Even as the Uttar Pradesh government remains tight-lipped about the number of casualties following the Kumbh Mela stampede, the DIG of Mahakumbh told media outlets that “at least 30 people have lost their lives and 60 others have been injured.”
As scores of pilgrims fought for space to have a sacred bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, a stampede broke out at the Sangam section of the Maha Kumbh early on Wednesday, resulting in multiple casualties.
According to the latest reports, ‘Amrit Snan,’ the customary bathing ceremony of Akharas that had been postponed because of the stampede, started at 2:30 pm.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, the leader of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, led the parade, which was somewhat less elaborate than usual.
Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, according to a news agency. The PIL asked for guidelines, rules, and policies for state governments to avoid crowds at busy locations like Maha Kumbh.
A lawyer filed the PIL seeking a ruling that the movement of VIPs should not impact or endanger the safety of regular devotees and that there should be maximum space to enter and exit the Maha Kumbh.
The PIL further desired that the Uttar Pradesh government give a status report on the stampede and that legal action be taken against the individuals, officials, and authorities involved for their careless actions.
The way the Maha Kumbh was managed also gave an opportunity to the opposition parties to flay the BJP government, accused of insensitively focusing on VIP arrangements during the religious congregation rather than public safety.
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