UP CM says state did not allow Maha Kumbh stampede to be highlighted to prevent panic

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath on Monday claimed that his government did not allow the stampede at the Maha Kumbh site in Prayagraj on January 29 to be highlighted “as it could have caused panic” among crores of pilgrims present on that day, The Indian Express reported.

Adityanath claimed that the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party government acted swiftly to control the situation and ensure medical aid, PTI reported.

He made the remarks while addressing Indian Institute of Management and Indian Postal Service officials at an event on “Nation Building through the Successful Organisation of Mahakumbh”.

At least 30 persons were killed and 60 others were injured in the stampede that broke out between 1 am and 2 am on January 29 at Maha Kumbh as a large number of pilgrims arrived to take a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, a spiritually significant day in the Hindu calendar.

“The crowd is like water current in a river,” The Indian Express quoted the chief minister as saying on Monday. “Whenever an attempt is made to stop the current, it will either force its way out or spread and cause damage. This [stampede] happened that night when there was a huge gathering present at the site and everyone wanted to take the holy bath at 4 am.”

The BJP leader...

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