"Opposition has made irresponsible comment on any event which bring India pride": Shekhawat hits back at Akhilesh over Mahakumbh

New Delhi [India], February 21 (ANI): Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday responded sharply to Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav's criticism of the ongoing Maha Kumbh, stating that the opposition has consistently made irresponsible remarks about events that bring India pride.
Speaking to ANI, Shekhawat emphasized the global significance of the Kumbh, highlighting that over 60 crore people have taken a holy dip.
"In the last 10 years, any event that has been organised in which India can take pride, the Opposition has made irresponsible comments on it. Today, more than 60 crore people have taken a holy dip at the Kumbh. It has become a centre of attraction for people from all over the world and at such a time, they are making irresponsible comments regarding the quality of the water. The world has its own different standards for bathing water, river water, drinking water and potable water, and I think Akhilesh Yadav does not understand them," Shekhawat said.
Meanwhile, after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed concerns over faecal contamination in the waters of Triveni Sangam, where people in multitudes are taking a dip during the ongoing MahaKumbh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday alluded to an alleged conspiracy to keep the news of actual pollution away from the public.
Yadav took to his X platform to post a news segment on the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) about the water quality of rivers with respect to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). As per the report, during monitoring conducted on January 12-13, 2025, the river water quality did not meet the bathing criteria at most locations.
"This news came to light when the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the National Green Tribunal that the water of Ganga ji in Prayagraj is 'contaminated with sewage'. In Lucknow, on the floor of the House, this report was refuted as false and it was said that everything is 'under control'," the SP chief said in a post on X.
Yadav further alleged that after the assembly address of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, the 'janta' asked if this was 'contempt' of a report of a government authority.
"Actually, the people of Lucknow meant that there is control on the media to prevent the spread of the news of 'polluted water'. The public is asking whether, like 'contempt of court', a case can be filed against someone for 'contempt of a government board or authority'?" Akhilesh Yadav's post added. (ANI)