Maha Kumbh stampede a conspiracy, culprits will face sternest action: Adityanath

Speaking to mediapersons, Adityanath said, “While the country and the world take pride in witnessing the grand celebration of the Sanatan Dharma, those who have got ‘supari’ to defame Sanatan are planting new stories of deceit about the Maha Kumbh on a daily basis.”

Referring to Kharge’s claim about the death toll in the stampede, Adityanath said it was not only unfortunate and misleading but also “shameful and condemnable”. “As leader of the country’s oldest party, Khargeji is expected to make responsible statements in Parliament. The fact is he and Akhilesh Yadav are competing with each other to make the most anti-Sanatan statements,” he alleged.

Dismissing the allegations that no data was provided on the Mauni Amavasya incident, the CM stated that both he and the administration publicly shared the figures. “It was a tragic incident and everyone is deeply saddened by it,” he added.

“Anti-Sanatan elements and Opposition parties were hoping for a disaster to happen. Despite the government’s best efforts to maintain a ‘zero-incident’ event, the unfortunate incident occurred. Crores of devotees were present in Prayagraj that day. The administration acted quickly, providing immediate medical attention,” the CM said.

All the injured, he claimed, received proper treatment, with some recovering at the Prayagraj Medical College and Hospital while others returned home.

The Chief Minister dismissed claims by the Opposition parties that lakhs of devotees could not take a holy dip and that Amrit and Shahi Snan did not take place.

These allegations are misleading and part of a conspiracy to defame Sanatan Dharma, he alleged, clarifying that no tradition was disrupted.

Following the incident, akharas postponed their snan after discussions with the mela authorities but he talked to the saints, acharyas, and mahamandaleshwars and they participated in the snan in the traditional way later in the day, Adityanath added.

The CM criticised Akhilesh Yadav’s statement about the government’s 100 crore pilgrims claim, stating that he should read the official statements properly. “These are people who wake up at noon and simply read out notes prepared by their office staff. They are not leaders but mere readers, making a mockery of themselves and politicians,” he added.

“We have repeatedly mentioned that 40-45 crore devotees will participate. In just 22 days, 38 crore devotees had already attended, with crores more expected in the coming weeks,” he said.

There are groups taking money to defame the Sanatan Dharma and engaging in conspiracies, he alleged, warning that their plans will not succeed. “We will investigate the January 29 incident and expose the conspirators,” he said.