"Stampede happened more than once...": Congress' Bhupesh Baghel

New Delhi [India], February 18 (ANI): Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the stampede incident, which occurred in the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela on Mauni Amavasya, killing 30 people, and claimed that the stampede happened more than once but the government has not given the figures until now.
He further stated that half of the space in Mahakumbh is reserved for VIPs while only the remaining belongs to the general public.
"It is the responsibility of government to make arrangements... Half of the space (Mahakumbh 2025) was for the general public, and the rest for VIPs... People have been going there with devotion for many years but this time, the BJP gave extra encouragement to the devotees: if you don't go, you are not a Hindu. Ek baar nahi kitni baar bhagdad hui hai (The stampede happened more than once there) but the government is not giving the figures yet," Baghel, senior Congress leader, told ANI.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel addressed the joint session of both houses of the state legislature and the first session of 2025 on Tuesday. During her speech, she expressed grief over the stampede incident.
Expressing sorrow over the unfortunate incident on Mauni Amavasya, the Governor said, "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy." She extended her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Considering the large number of people arriving at the ongoing Mahakumbh festival in Prayagraj, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday said that the administration had been alerted to make arrangements.
The ongoing Mahakumbh has witnessed a record-breaking massive turnout this time, and it is set to conclude on February 26. Many more are expected to visit and take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam.
Officials said on Monday that the ongoing Mahakumbh 2025, the world's largest human gathering, has witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with over 540 million devotees taking a holy dip in the first 36 days.
According to official data, from 8 PM on February 17, 2025, more than 13.5 million devotees participated in the grand religious event, marking yet another significant milestone in the 45-day-long spiritual congregation. (ANI)