Kumbh Mela LIVE | UP chief secy, DGP at the spot for post-stampede review

The Congress on Wednesday (January 29) hit out at the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the stampede at the Sangam, with Rahul Gandhi saying that mismanagement and administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees were responsible for this tragic incident.

Gandhi also said "VIP culture" should be reined in and the government should make better arrangements to fulfil the needs of common devotees at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

Multiple casualties were feared after a stampede broke out at the Sangam on Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya, officials said.

In view of the incident, the akharas called off their traditional 'Amrit Snan' for Mauni Amavasya, even as devotees in large numbers continued to take a dip at Sangam and other ghats in the Mela area.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the news of "many people's death and many getting injured due to stampede in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely saddening".

"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"Mismanagement and administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident," Gandhi said in his post on X.

Noting that there is still a lot of time left for Maha Kumbh with many more Mahasnans to be held, Gandhi said the government should improve the system to prevent a tragic incident like today.

"VIP culture should be reined in and the government should make better arrangements to fulfill the needs of common devotees," Gandhi asserted.

He urged Congress workers and leaders to help the affected families.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed sadness over the incident.

"May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," she said in a post on X.

The devotees visiting the Kumbh area were constantly complaining of the severe chaos but no attention was paid and administrative negligence was observed, she said in a post on her WhatsApp channel.

Priyanka Gandhi appealed to the government to airlift the injured and arrange for their immediate treatment.

"The deceased should be identified and sent to their families and immediate arrangements should be made keeping the convenience of the devotees paramount. The devotees are requested to perform the bath with patience and peace," she said.

"May Maa Ganga protect everyone," she added.

In a post in Hindi on X, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "The death of many devotees in the stampede during Kumbh bath in Prayagraj is very saddening. The kind of crowd that was there and the half-baked arrangements that were put in place, there was always a danger of such an accident happening," Khera said.

After a stampede at the Maha Kumbh left many injured, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday (January 29) appealed to people to take a dip in the Ganga at their nearest ghats and not try to reach the Sangam Nose, according to an official statement.

Adityanath also held a high-level meeting with top officials at his residence and urged people not to believe rumours.

Multiple casualties were feared after the stampede at the Sangam as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on 'Mauni Amavasya', the most significant ritual at the Maha Kumbh.

This year, a rare celestial alignment called 'Triveni Yog' is occurring after 144 years, amplifying the spiritual significance of the day. The 'Amrit Snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya' is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims.

According to an official statement, Adityanath appealed to devotees to take a dip in the Ganga at their nearest ghats instead of going to the Sangam Nose to avoid overcrowding.

"All ghats hold equal spiritual significance and reaching the main confluence point should not be a priority," the statement quoted the chief minister as saying.

Multiple bathing ghats have been designated across the mela area, ensuring that everyone can take a dip comfortably and safely. The arrangements have been made to prevent overcrowding and maintain the sanctity of the occasion, Adityanath said.

He called on pilgrims to follow the guidelines issued by the administration, not believe any rumours, and to rely only on official announcements for accurate information.

Officials said the chief minister, who is monitoring the situation at the Maha Kumbh from the war room, held a high-level meeting with top officials at his residence.

They said the meeting was attended by the chief secretary, director general of police, principal secretary (home), additional director general of law and order, and officials of the CM's secretariat.