‘SP, Congress Engaged In Anti-Sanatan Competition’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath On Oppn’s Kumbh Stampede Allegations
Uttar Pradesh CMYogi Adityanath accuses the opposition of being 'anti-Sanatan' and lying about the Maha Kumbh stampede death toll. He alleges SP and Congress leaders wished for a major accident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday strongly criticised the opposition, alleging a "competition" between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress in their "anti-Sanatan" stance following their claims regarding the number of deaths in the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj.
Speaking on the controversy, Yogi Adityanath remarked, "The entire nation and the world are witnessing this grand event of Sanatana Dharma with pride, while on the other hand, elements conspiring against Sanatana Dharma are making mischief after taking a contract to do so."
Taking aim at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Yogi Adityanath stated, "New records of lies and falsehood are being made by elements taking a contract against Sanatana Dharma. Their statements in Parliament are not only a reflection of their anti-Sanatan face but also an attempt to spread misinformation about the Maha Kumbh from day one. Their remarks are not just against Sanatana Dharma but also shameful and condemnable."
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "...New records of lies and falsehood are being made by elements taking a contract against Sanatana Dharma. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's statements in Parliament are drawing everyone's… pic.twitter.com/TNNloGCXUP
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2025
He also responded to Kharge's claim in Rajya Sabha that "thousands" of people had died in the Kumbh incident, saying it was regrettable that such a senior leader of the country’s oldest party was "misleading" the nation in Parliament. Yogi Adityanath further alleged that SP and Congress leaders wanted a "big accident to occur."
"Our first priority was to ensure an accident-free fair. Unfortunately, this incident occurred, and we expressed our sympathies to the victims' families while announcing monetary compensation. The loss of life cannot be compensated, but we made every effort, providing medical treatment to the injured and forming a judicial commission for investigation. However, our main focus remained on ensuring the safe return of 8-9 crore devotees," he said.
The Chief Minister also asserted that the government would thoroughly investigate the January 29 incident and expose those behind it. "You have seen how conspirators have been punished in UP over the last eight years. The same will happen again," he warned.
ALSO READ | Maha Kumbh Stampede Victims' Bodies, Sarees Removed Using JCB: Akhilesh Lashes Out At UP Govt
Opposition’s Criticism Of Kumbh Stampede Management
Earlier, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of concealing the actual number of deaths in the Kumbh stampede and demanded strict action against those allegedly involved in a cover-up.
Participating in the Motion of Thanks debate on the President's Address in Parliament, Yadav remarked, "The government claimed to organise a 'digital Kumbh' but is hiding the digits of the dead." He also demanded an all-party meeting to discuss the Kumbh arrangements and suggested handing over disaster management and the Lost and Found Centre to the Army.
"The government is constantly revealing budget figures, but it should also disclose the number of deaths in the Kumbh," Yadav asserted, urging disciplinary action against officials allegedly involved in mismanagement. He also demanded that details regarding the number of deaths, medical treatment for the injured, availability of medicines, and food and water facilities be presented in Parliament.
The SP chief further alleged that during the stampede, the government forced seers to delay their "shahi snan" (royal bath), violating Sanatana Dharma traditions. "The government ordered the postponement of the 'shahi snan' but, after public outcry, re-allowed it, disregarding the significance of the predetermined 'mahurat' (auspicious timing)," he said.
He went on to claim that bodies were removed using "JCB machines and tractor trollies," alleging that the government attempted to cover up the incident. "People came for spiritual blessings but had to leave with the bodies of their loved ones," Yadav said, criticising the administration for showering petals from helicopters even as bodies lay in mortuaries.
"What kind of Sanatan traditions are these? Clothes and footwear were strewn all over, and the government used JCB machines and tractors to dispose of bodies. When there was an uproar, the government rushed into damage control," he claimed.
Yadav also accused Yogi Adityanath of delaying his response to the incident. "He expressed grief only 17 hours after the President and Prime Minister did," he remarked.
Kharge’s ‘Thousands Dead’ Remark Sparks Uproar
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while paying tributes to the victims of the stampede, claimed in Rajya Sabha that "thousands" of people had died in the tragedy, triggering sharp reactions from the treasury benches.
As protests erupted, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urged Kharge to retract his statement, saying, "The LoP has indicated a scenario using figures in the thousands. A message from this House carries great weight. Even if contradicted later, it reaches the whole world. Can you go to that extent?"
Kharge, however, clarified that the number was his estimate and asked the government to provide the correct figures. "If I am wrong, I will apologise. But the government must tell the truth," he said.
According to official figures provided by the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 people were killed, and 60 others were injured in the January 29 stampede during the "Amrit Snan" on Mauni Amavasya.
While continuing his speech, Kharge also criticised the government for allegedly working only for wealthy industrialists, saying that inflation and unemployment were worsening for the poor. "Is this 'Amrit Kaal' (golden era) or 'Vish Kaal' (worst era)? Over the last ten years, one lakh farmers have committed suicide," he claimed.
The political row over the Kumbh tragedy continues to escalate, with the BJP-led government rejecting opposition allegations while SP and Congress persist with their demands for transparency.
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