AAS Issues Legal Notice to UP Chief Secretary and Mahakumbh Fair Officer over Death Toll, SP Chief Accuses Govt. of Hiding Number of Victims
– Akhilesh Tripathi
Lucknow: A major controversy has erupted over the recent stampede at the Mahakumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with religious leaders, opposition figures, and civil society organisations challenging the government’s official death toll and demanding accountability.
While the Uttar Pradesh government has officially acknowledged 30 deaths and announced compensation of ₹25 lakh per victim’s family, the Azad Adhikar Sena claims that media reports indicate at least 58 fatalities in the Sangam area, with an additional 7-8 deaths reported from the Jhunsi area. The organisation’s national president, Amitabh Thakur, has issued a legal notice to the UP Chief Secretary and Mahakumbh Fair Officer, demanding clarification of the actual death toll by February 3.
Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotish Peeth has demanded Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s resignation over the incident. In a strong rebuke, the religious leader accused the Chief Minister of deliberately concealing information about the tragedy and betraying the trust of the saint community.
“Our biggest pain today is that our Chief Minister is a liar. We are hurt that he hides incidents from us, even when they happen to us. He didn’t even give us the chance to mourn our dead and observe a fast for them,” the Shankaracharya stated.
He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda to replace Yogi Adityanath with a more capable leader.
Adding to the mounting pressure, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP government of deliberately underreporting casualties to avoid paying compensation.
“The government is concealing the number of deaths and injuries. The BJP government has lost the trust of the people. This is their moral defeat,” Yadav declared.
He also raised concerns about pilgrims currently stranded at the festival, calling for immediate arrangements for their safe return, including provisions for fuel, food, and transportation.
The controversy has created significant political tension from Prayagraj to Lucknow, with the state government facing increasing scrutiny over both its handling of the tragedy and its aftermath. Religious leaders and saints continue to express their outrage over the alleged mismanagement of the Mahakumbh festival, particularly as millions more devotees are expected to attend in the coming days.
