Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has questioned the Uttar Pradesh government’s claim that 55 crore devotees attended the Maha Kumbh Mela, calling it an exaggerated figure. The BJP-led administration, he alleged, has a habit of inflating numbers to turn events into spectacles.
Speaking to Times Now, Kishor remarked, “55 crore means half of India. Are we saying that half of India has gone to the Maha Kumbh? The BJP government exaggerates everything.”
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, is reportedly set to surpass 60 crore attendees by the final bathing ritual. The government claims it to be the most attended religious and cultural event in history.
Kishor also criticized the handling of the event, particularly the recent stampede in Prayagraj that claimed 30 lives and injured 60 others. He accused the Yogi Adityanath government of negligence, stating that the administration failed in managing the crowd despite prior warnings.
The controversy has sparked debate over the credibility of official figures and the safety measures taken during the mega religious gathering.
