The ground reports available on Maha Kumbha Mela stampede, in which the government claimed death of 30 devotees and 60 more injured, states that it was because of political and administrative mismanagement. Most of the observers pointing out to VIP culture and Corporate marketing of the religious event have practically diverted attention of the administration from facilitating devotees.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry into the stampede and also Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to the family members of the deceased. According to the Vaibhav Krishna, DIG (Mahakumbh Nagar), the area around the Akhada was barricaded, and these barricades were broken by the influx of people causing the stampede.
Locals wonder why VIPs in thousands swooped down in Allahabad, the entire state cabinet, a number of central ministers and also some opposition leaders. They were shocked that on Wednesday, even after the stampede too VIPs were driven through the crowd.
In one instance, people in the Kumbh area attacked some cops and officials and damaged the vehicle, reflecting their anger and also impatience. People wonder why Divisional Commissioner announcement around midnight calling upon people sleeping in Mela area to wake up and rush for the holy bath at amrit muhurat?
He implored them to rush for Sangam, which was said to have triggered the stampede. Moreover, the police forced people to take a 10 km additional detour for people detraining at Naini station, on the other side of Yamuna. They were made to walk for about 18 km to reach Sangam. But VIPs are driven throught the shortest route of not more than 5 km.
Local people say the Mela had never been so mismanaged since 1954, when 800 persons lost lives. The Mela appeared to have been hijacked by UP CEO, the cabinet and Hardwar’s Ram Baba. The water dance by VIPs, special cabinet meeting and Baba-state CEO surreal dance reveals how the administration was forced not to be so serious about devotees and religious rituals.
The VIP presence led to neglect of the poor genuine pilgrims in the Mela because of the forces were preoccupied with VIPs. Besides tall claims by the government’s efforts for bandobast and traffic regulations, all main roads leading to Prayagraj witnessed traffic jams for more than 10 kms. A normal distance that takes one hour of journey starts taking five to seven hours.
It may be recalled that Akhada Parishad Council dissociated itself from Jan 27 Dharm Sansad calling upon a Hindu Samvidhan, and took over temples by forcing govt to release these from its control. In fact, sometimes it was proved that the government corrected systems and stopped exploitation of pilgrims.
Recently two temples in Bengal were taken over by Big Biz Trust. Akhada Parishad has not approved calls for removal of govt control apparently. People also wonder about the opposition silence on this issue. They are against government control of temples, but are silent on `politicization of religious melas’ like Kumbha Mela.