Mauni Amavasya ritual bath marred by seer’s alleged ‘mistreatment’, SP chief Akhilesh demands probe

Prayagraj, Jan 18 (ANI): Devotees gather in large numbers at the Magh Mela Kshetra to take a holy dip at Sangam, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, in Prayagraj on Sunday. (ANI Photo)

The police said the seer was told about the heavy rush of devotees, but he refused to stop and returned without taking the holy dip.

“The police administration respects all saints and seers, but the safety of devotees is our top priority,” Pandey told PTI.

SP chief Akhilesh demands probe

Asserting that mistreatment of saints is unpardonable, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav posted a video of the incident on social media and demanded a probe.

“The alleged mistreatment of saints and devotees in the Magh Mela area this year, just like last year, is unpardonable. The centuries-old, uninterrupted Sanatani tradition of the royal bath (‘Shahi Snan’) was disrupted last year as well, under the same government,” Akhilesh said, asking why such incidents were occurring under a BJP-led government.

“Is the Shahi Snan on Mauni Amavasya happening for the first time? The BJP’s misgovernance and failed arrangements are solely responsible for this situation,” he alleged.

Heavy rush for holy dip

A steady stream of devotees is nothing new for the Sangam. Around 1.03 crore devotees had taken a dip on Makar Sankranti, with nearly 85 lakh people taking the holy bath on Ekadashi.

The authorities have put in place certain measures to improve the experience for those in attendance. This includes reflective tapes on poles across the mela (fair) area, civil defence volunteers to guide devotees, and more than 25,000 toilets, according to Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agrawal.

The Magh Mela is spread across 800 hectares and divided into seven sectors, with more than 3,500 sanitation workers working to maintain cleanliness.

With inputs from PTI