The Maha Kumbh Mela, a centuries-old Hindu pilgrimage in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has become the epicenter of a heated political controversy following allegations of mismanagement and tragic incidents during the 2025 event. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ignited the debate on February 18 by terming the gathering a “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Kumbh), a critique that found strong support from Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. The remarks have since triggered a nationwide discourse on public safety, administrative accountability, and the politicization of religious events.
Mamata Banerjee’s criticism stemmed from two fatal stampedes linked to the Kumbh Mela. The first occurred on January 29 in Prayagraj, claiming 30 lives and injuring 60, while the second unfolded on February 15 at New Delhi Railway Station, where 18 devotees died as crowds surged to board trains bound for the pilgrimage. Banerjee accused the Uttar Pradesh government of suppressing the true death toll and failing to implement adequate safety measures. “This is ‘Mrityu Kumbh’… I respect the Maha Kumbh and the holy Ganga Maa, but there is no planning. How many people have been found?” she questioned in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, highlighting disparities in facilities where VIPs could access luxury camps priced at ₹1 lakh, while the poor faced neglect.
Akhilesh Yadav echoed Banerjee’s concerns, condemning the Uttar Pradesh administration for “exploiting public emotions” through grandiose claims about preparedness. He referenced Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s assertion that arrangements had been made for 100 crore attendees, a figure that reassured devotees and drew celebrities to promote the event. However, Yadav argued that the reality contradicted these assurances, citing the “highest number of missing persons, deaths, and illnesses” recorded in the Kumbh’s history. He further alleged that FIRs were not being filed for fatalities, particularly involving pilgrims from Bengal and other states, and questioned the rationale behind organizing the event without robust infrastructure.
The BJP swiftly dismissed these allegations as politically motivated attacks on Hindu traditions. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the opposition of “insulting Sanatan Dharma,” asserting that criticizing faith amounted to a “crime”. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak doubled down, claiming Banerjee and Yadav were engaging in “appeasement politics” and would face public backlash. CM Yogi Adityanath, addressing the state assembly, defended the event’s management, stating that over 56 crore devotees had participated without incident and emphasizing the government’s support for victims’ families. He accused critics of politicizing tragedies, remarking, “An infected person can be treated, but there is no cure for an infected mindset”.
The controversy has underscored broader issues of crowd management and equity at mass gatherings. Banerjee and Yadav highlighted systemic failures, such as the absence of medical aid stations, poor traffic control, and inadequate sanitation, which exacerbated risks for millions of pilgrims. Yadav also criticized the commercialization of the Kumbh, arguing that profit-driven arrangements overshadowed spiritual objectives and marginalized ordinary devotees. These critiques align with reports of chaotic scenes at railway stations and arterial roads, where overcrowding and insufficient coordination led to preventable accidents.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court intervened in response to a PIL concerning the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, directing authorities to review passenger limits and platform ticket sales to prevent future tragedies. This judicial scrutiny reflects growing institutional concern over lapses in public safety protocols during large-scale events.
As the debate rages, the “Mrityu Kumbh” label has transcended political rhetoric, resonating with families of victims and civil society groups demanding accountability. While the BJP frames the opposition’s remarks as an assault on cultural heritage, critics argue that faith cannot absolve governments of their duty to protect citizens. With Uttar Pradesh’s handling of the Kumbh Mela under national scrutiny, the incident has become a litmus test for balancing religious fervor with administrative competence in India’s evolving socio-political landscape.
