Page 8 - Maha Kumbh Mela

Stampede in Mahakumbh caused by officials' negligence: Yati Narsinghanand

Yati Narsinghanand Giri, the Peethadheeshwar of Shiv Shakti Dham Dasna and Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, on Tuesday blamed official negligence for the Mauni Amavasya stampede at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. He said he has written a letter in blood to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath under the banner of Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara. In the letter, he wrote, "The inhumane behaviour of your shameless, corrupt and insensitive officials towards Hindus on Mauni Amavasya has compelled me to write this letter." He further said, "This horrific massacre (the Mauni Amavasya incident) is not my primary concern. My real concern is the great catastrophe that is rapidly approaching the Hindu society. To prevent this catastrophe, Hindus chose Narendra Modi as India's prime minister and you as Uttar Pradesh's chief minister. Out of this same fear, a large section of Hindus today wants to see you as India's prime minister." Narsinghanand warned that "this catastrophe h

PM Modi to visit Maha Kumbh Mela, take holy dip at Sangam on Feb 5

Mahakumbh 2025, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13, 2025), is the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe

King of Bhutan takes dip at Triveni Sangam in Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck took holy dip at Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh on Tuesday. He also participated in rituals performed here with Uttar pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

'Not very big incident': BJP MP Hema Malini on Maha Kumbh stampede

BJP MP Hema Malini said that so many people are coming to the Maha Kumbh Mela and it gets very difficult to manage

Govt claims digital Mahakumbh, but hiding digits of dead: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the government was hiding the number of deaths in the stampede at the Kumbh congregation in Prayagraj, and demanded strict action against those trying to cover up the "mis-management" in organising the fair. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, Yadav said the government claimed to organise digital Kumbh, but was hiding the digits of the dead. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded that the government call an all party meeting to discuss the arrangements of the Kumbh and hand over disaster management and Lost and Found Centre to the Army. "The government is continuously reeling out budget numbers, please also give the numbers of those who died in the Kumbh," Yadav said. The SP leader also demanded disciplinary action against officers who have tried to cover up the "mis-management" in the arrangements for the Kumbh. "The figures for the deaths in the Maha Kumbh accident

Gaurav Gogoi moves adjournment notice in LS to discuss Mahakumbh stampede

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi claimed that the root causes of the stampede, primarily mismanagement and the VIP culture that prioritized certain individuals over public safety, must be fully addressed

Smell conspiracy behind Kumbh stampede, probe on: BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told the Lok Sabha on Monday that the ruling party smells a conspiracy behind the Maha Kumbh stampede and those responsible for it will have to hang their heads in shame once the probe is over. Participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the president's address, the MP from Bihar's Patna Sahib said 35 crore people have so far taken a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. "There was a tragedy at the Maha Kumbh.... An investigation is underway. We do smell a conspiracy there.... When the entire investigation is complete, those behind the incident will have to hang their heads in shame," the former Union minister said. The stampede took place on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. At least 30 people lost their lives and 60 were injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area in Prayagraj. Prasad hit out at the Opposition, alleging that it starts getting upset the moment it hears "Kumbh" or "Sanatan". "I

News updates: CAQM revokes stage III of Grap in Delhi-NCR; stages I & II still in effect

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LS takes up 18 questions amid noisy opposition protests over Kumbh stampede

Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed prolonged noisy protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the recent stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and a list of those deceased. When the House met for the first time after the President's address to the joint sitting and presentation of the 2025-26 budget, the opposition MPs led by the Congress were on their feet and demanded a discussion on the recent tragedy in Maha Kumbh. Soon the opposition members stormed the Well of the House resorting to noisy protests and sloganeering. Led by deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, the opposition members also sought suspension of the Question Hour and demanded a discussion on the stampede. Opposition members were raising slogans such as "Sanatan virodhi sarkar istifa do (step down anti-sanatan government). Speaker Om Birla warned members against thumping tables as a mark of protest, saying people send their representatives to ask .

Watch: Ruckus in Parliament over Maha Kumbh stampede

Lok Sabha got off to a stormy start on Monday as MPs raised the Maha Kumbh stampede issue. Speaker Om Birla however asked the legislators not to raise the Maha Kumbh issue during Question Hour.

Mahakumbh stampede: SC refuses to hear PIL, asks petitioner to move HC

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a PIL for specific guidelines to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh, where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede at Sangam area in Prayagraj. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar noted the submission of the Uttar Pradesh government that a plea was already filed in the Allahabad High Court on the issue and the present petition should be not examined in the apex court. Terming it an unfortunate incident, the top court asked the petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari to move the Allahabad High Court. This is an unfortunate incident. But, you go to the Allahabad High Court, the bench told Tiwari. The top court noted the submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the UP government, that a judicial inquiry was initiated. The PIL was filed in the top court on January 30, a day after the incident in the stampede in Prayagraj. The incident took place on

Parliament erupts over Maha Kumbh stampede, Opposition demands answers

Parliament on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes over the Maha Kumbh stampede as the Opposition demanded answers and accused the UP government of concealing the death toll

Maha Kumbh Amrit Snan: 6.2 mn devotees take holy dip on Basant Panchami

Over 6.2 million devotees take holy dip at Maha Kumbh as UP government ensures zero-error safety measures amid massive crowd turnout

Mahakumbh: Days after stampede, seers laud arrangements for 'Amrit Snan'

Akharas led a grand 'Amrit Snan' on Monday which drew a sea of devotees to the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh on Basant Panchami, with seers praising the arrangements made for the auspicious occasion. The third Amrit Snan assumed special significance as it came after the pre-dawn stampede on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), which claimed at least 30 lives and injured 60 others. Shaken by the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government had stepped up its crowd management system, and safety, medical and transport arrangements, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directing officials to ensure a "zero-error" Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami. Till 8 am on Monday, over 62 lakh devotees had taken a dip at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati here, according to the government. As the Amrit Snan continued without any reported incident, Adityanath, who himself is a monk, was in for some praise from the seers, an official statement said. "On this holy festival of Basant Panchami,

News Highlights: Ayodhya sees massive influx of devotees on Basant Panchami

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UP govt prioritises 'zero-error' Basant Panchami Amrit Snan after stampede

Shaken by the deadly January 29 stampede, top Uttar Pradesh government officials on Sunday stressed the compliance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive of "zero-error" during the ongoing Maha Kumbh's final 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami. The government said said expects five crore pilgrims to take the holy dip Monday, and several steps has been taken to ensure the event remains incident-free. "Operation Eleven" has been implemented for crowd management, one-way traffic system has been put in place in the mela area for smooth movement for pilgrims and preventing congestion at Triveni Ghats, barricades have been raised, and additional police forces deployed, particularly on pontoon bridges, to avoid any mishap. Other key measures include increased security at the New Yamuna and Shastri bridges, deployment of armed state and central police forces at major crowd points like Tikarmafi Turn and Phaphamau Bridge, and strategic traffic diversions. Rail and bus operations have bee

SC to hear plea seeking safety measures for devotees at Mahakumbh on Feb 3

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea seeking implementation of specific guidelines and regulations to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a stampede on January 29. According to the cause list on February 3 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar is slated to hear the PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari. The petition seeks to prevent stampede incidents and protect the fundamental rights of equality and life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The plea, which made the Centre and all the states as parties, has sought a direction to the Centre and the state governments to work collectively in ensuring a safe and secure environment for devotees at the Maha Kumbh. It said all states should establish facilitation centres at Prayagraj to provide safety information and assist their respective residents in emergencies. It also sought

Ensure 'zero errors' for Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami: UP CM to officials

Ahead of Monday's Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh on Basant Panchami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to ensure "zero errors" in arrangements. During a review meeting in Prayagraj on Saturday, he said the traditional 'shobha yatra' of 'akharas' should be conducted with grandeur and all necessary preparations completed on time, according to a statement. The chief minister highlighted the importance of security and said the safety and convenience of everyone should be ensured. He also directed the officials to increase parking space and ensure that devotees had to walk as little as possible. Senior police officers should be assigned to manage traffic at key locations, he said. Adityanath stressed that Sunday and Monday would be critical and said no VIP protocol would be in place before, during or after major bathing days. The directions came after at least 30 people died and 60 were injured in a stampede that broke out on Wednesday when the area c

Grateful to MEA for this opportunity: Foreign diplomats on Mahakumbh visit

Diplomats from around the world expressed their excitement and gratitude to India for the opportunity to experience it's rich cultural heritage firsthand at Mahakumbh

Akhilesh Yadav, Oppn MPs stage Budget walkout over Maha Kumbh stampede

As soon as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her Budget speech, Akhilesh Yadav and his party MPs started raising slogans