BJP MP and actor Hema Malini was highly controversial when commenting about the recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The stampede took the lives of 30 people and left hundreds injured, but Malini brushed it off saying, “It’s not a very big incident.” Malini’s comment has invited scathing criticism from several political personalities including opposition members.
Statement by Hema Malini at Kumbh
Hema Malini, talking to the media, said: “It was not a very big incident. I don’t know how big it was, but it is being exaggerated.” Actress who is there at the convergence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers praised Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, for describing his government as handling religiously, which in all accounts “is a very well-managed congregation”. She suggested that the large number of people at the event made it difficult to manage the crowd and implied that such incidents could be inevitable.
Political Backlash from Opposition
Malini’s comments were met with severe criticism from opposition parties. Tariq Anwar, the Congress MP from Katihar, Uttar Pradesh, called out Malini for her dismissive attitude toward the tragedy. Anwar said that she was not aware of the reality of the situation because of her VIP status, which gave her special treatment at the event. He said that it was the poor organization of the event and the mismanagement of crowds that led to the tragedy.
Anwar said, “If she says this is not a big issue, it is a mockery of the victims.”
Kumbh Stampede Details
The stampede happened as thousands of devotees rushed to take a holy dip at the Kumbh Mela, a significant religious event that attracts millions of pilgrims. The crowd jostled past barriers, leading to the deadly stampede. Thirty people lost their lives, and over 60 were injured in the tragic incident. The state government’s delayed response and the lack of immediate acknowledgment of the fatalities drew further ire.
Political Reactions and Demand for Accountability
However, the Kumbh stampede incident still remains the most controversial point in the political discourse. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was very vocal about his criticism of the government. Yadav called for the truth in the stampsede and demanded that justice be served against those responsible for hiding it. His party alleges that the state government is trying to diminish the gravity of the stampede.
Jaya Bachchan’s charges over the Body disposal
The controversy surrounding the stampede was further fueled by Jaya Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party MP and actress, who accused the state government of mishandling the bodies of the victims. Bachchan claimed that the bodies had been discarded into the Ganga River, which she said had led to contamination of the holy waters. Her allegations added to the growing tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition parties.
Bachchan remarked, “Where is the water most contaminated right now? It is in Kumbh. No one is giving any clarification on that. Bodies have been thrown in the river because of which the water has been contaminated.” These were deemed to be utterances that attracted severe condemnation from the BJP, who accused Bachchan of hurting Hindu sentiments.
Defence from BJP and Replies
The BJP had reacted to allegations made by the opposition leaders in relation to the management of the event by the administration. It had pointed out that Rs 1,600 crore had been spent on water management, which included waste disposal, in its efforts to make the Kumbh Mela go off well. The BJP had also charged the opposition leaders with politicizing the issue to further their cause.
The stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela still remains a sensitive issue, causing a division in the political parties and the general public. Even as BJP leaders like Hema Malini continue to claim that the event was well-managed, opposition parties demand greater accountability over the tragic loss of lives. The controversy is still left unsolved as the debates are on regarding mishandling the situation and treatment of the bodies of the victims.