Delayed Casualty Figures Spark Outrage Amid Political Calculations
A deadly pre-dawn stampede at the massive Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, left chaos in its wake. But while emergency responders worked to restore order, official casualty figures remained undisclosed for nearly 15 hours. The delayed response has raised concerns of a politically motivated cover-up, as local leaders aim to project a flawless image of the event.
Religious Devotion Overshadowed by Tragedy
With millions of Hindu devotees gathered for a ritualistic dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Sarasvati rivers, the festival turned into a nightmare for many. Ambulances ferried bodies and the injured, even as officials prioritized announcing the number of successful bathers rather than the death toll.
Political Ramifications of the Stampede
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a key contender for national leadership after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had positioned the Maha Kumbh Mela as a showcase of faith, technology, and governance.
Lack of Information Leaves Families in Despair
As officials remained tight-lipped, families frantically searched for their missing loved ones, running between hospitals, morgues, and lost-and-found centers. The official death toll of 30 and 90 injured was released only in the evening, far later than expected. In the absence of transparency, speculation and rumors put the unofficial toll much higher.
Historical Parallels: A Pattern of Opaqueness
The delayed response is reminiscent of the Uttar Pradesh government’s handling of the 2021 COVID-19 crisis, when officials downplayed the severity of mass deaths until images of bodies floating in the Ganges exposed the reality. Critics argue this stampede response follows a similar playbook of damage control over accountability.
Official Probe Ordered, But Questions Remain
Adityanath has since ordered an investigation, but officials have yet to explain why information was withheld. Former Uttar Pradesh police chief Vikram Singh suggested that logistical challenges might explain some delays, but not to this extent.
Reunions Amid Chaos
For some, the day ended with relief. Retired army officer Shiv Shankar Singh, who lost his wife in the chaos, spent hours searching for her. After scouring hospitals and festival grounds, he finally found her waiting at a lost-and-found center—alive but shaken.
While some questions remain unanswered, the political and public fallout from this tragedy is far from over.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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