New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing them of conspiring against Sanatan Dharma and allegedly “taking payoffs” to speak against it. His comments came amidst growing opposition allegations that the state government was underreporting casualties from the Maha Kumbh stampede.
Addressing the controversy, Adityanath said, “New records of lies and falsehood are being set by those who have taken a contract against Sanatan Dharma. The statements by Mallikarjun Kharge and Akhilesh Yadav in Parliament reveal their anti-Sanatan mindset and their deliberate attempts to spread disinformation about the Maha Kumbh from day one.”
Opposition vs. Official Claims
The controversy erupted after Kharge claimed in the Rajya Sabha that 1,000 people had died during the stampede, while the UP government maintained that the death toll was 30. Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the official figures and demanded that the government release the accurate number of casualties.
Rejecting these allegations, Adityanath accused the opposition of attempting to malign the Maha Kumbh event. “While people are participating in this grand event with pride, there are conspiracies being plotted against Sanatan Dharma. These are malicious and deliberate acts,” he stated.
Defending the administration’s response, Adityanath highlighted the swift action taken by the security forces. “We provided immediate assistance to the injured. NDRF, SDRF, civil defense, and police teams acted promptly to ensure that those injured were taken to hospitals. This is an example of efficient crisis management,” the CM asserted.
Accusations of Misinformation
The Chief Minister dismissed Kharge’s claims as misleading and unfortunate. “It is sad to see the Congress president making baseless statements in Parliament. Such controversial remarks from a senior leader are disappointing. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is no different — there seems to be a competition between the two to be more anti-Sanatan,” Adityanath remarked.
Akhilesh Yadav reiterated his demand for transparency, alleging a cover-up. “Why isn’t the government releasing the accurate figures of the deceased? If there was such a massive gathering, why wasn’t space allocated within Army premises to manage the crowd? The government allowed this incident to occur and is now hiding the details. FIRs are being filed against those who try to reveal the truth,” he alleged.
Stampede Details and Political Fallout
The tragic stampede occurred during the second Shahi Snan on Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh Mela. According to the UP government, 30 people lost their lives, and around 60 sustained injuries. The incident has sparked a political storm, with opposition leaders challenging the government’s handling of the tragedy and questioning the accuracy of official casualty figures.
As the debate continues, calls for an independent investigation into the stampede and improved crowd management at large religious gatherings are growing louder.
