NEW DELHI: Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, subtly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his post on the Maha Kumbh. He urged the prime minister to acknowledge the tragic deaths from the stampede that occurred on January 29, suggesting that evading the truth indicates a sense of guilt.
Without directly naming PM Modi, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh made a pointed remark about the prime minister’s statement, where Modi spoke of the gathering during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, highlighting the presence of deities, saints, elders, women, and youth, and noting the “awakened consciousness of the nation.”
“If not even two minutes of silence… when making grand statements about Maha Kumbh, you should have taken a moment to remember the deceased and the missing individuals. Concealing the truth is an indication of ‘guilt’,” Akhilesh Yadav expressed in Hindi on his X account.
At least 30 individuals lost their lives, while around 60 sustained injuries in the stampede that took place during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Previously, PM Modi characterized the Maha Kumbh as a symbol of unity and a manifestation of the nation’s evolving consciousness. “The Maha Kumbh has come to an end. A significant ritual of unity has concluded. When a nation’s consciousness awakens, breaking free from the shackles of centuries of subjugation and begins to thrive with new vigor, such scenes emerge, as witnessed in the Kumbh of unity at Prayagraj after January 13,” he stated.
The prime minister also referenced the mythological and spiritual significance of Shringverpur, a site in Prayagraj linked with Lord Ram and Nishadraj.
“In the same region of Prayagraj lies the sacred area of Shringverpur, a symbol of unity, harmony, and love, where Lord Ram encountered Nishadraj. This historical meeting signifies a convergence of devotion and goodwill. This pilgrimage site in Prayagraj continues to impart lessons of unity and harmony,” he added.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 concluded on February 26, witnessing millions of devotees engaging in rituals, prayers, and sacred immersions, underscoring its cultural and religious importance.
