Release the actual Maha Kumbh stampede death toll: Akhilesh Yadav to BJP's 'double engine' govt
New Delhi/IBNS: Samajwadi Party chief and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh must release the actual death toll in the stampede which took place at Hindu festival Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj late last month.
Akhilesh alleged the BJP government suppressed the actual toll and also appealed for an all-party meeting on the stampede.
"Along with the budget figures, the government must also present the figures related to the deaths that occurred in Maha Kumbh. I appeal to the government to call an all-party meeting to explain the Maha Kumbh management," he said in the Lok Sabha.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the Army should be employed in the disaster works besides alleging that JCB machines were used to lift the dead bodies from the mela.
"The Army should be handed over the responsibility of the Maha Kumbh disaster management. Strict actions must be taken against people who are held responsible for the Maha Kumbh tragedy and also the ones who are trying to cover up the truth," the leader of the third largest party in the Lok Sabha said.
VIDEO | Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) speaks on Maha Kumbh stampede in Lok Sabha.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 4, 2025
"The government presented so many data in the Budget, however, it should first provide the actual data on how many people died in Maha Kumbh stampede. I demand that an… pic.twitter.com/1wSQLfaLfD
While Akhilesh demands action against the one held responsible, the Supreme Court rejected the plea seeking action against Uttar Pradesh government officials over the stampede which as per the administration killed 30 people.
The top court, which called the stampede "unfortunate", has asked the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who represented the state in the top court, said a judicial probe into the stampede is underway.
A three-member panel led by retired judge Harsh Kumar is conducting a judicial probe into the incident that has brought the Yogi Adityanath administration under the scanner.
In the wake of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a slew of measures to manage the massive crowd taking place at the Maha Kumbh regularly.
The CM said unnecessary halts should be avoided and crowd build up must be prevented.
"Ensuring every devotee reaches their destination safely is our responsibility," said Yogi.
The CM has directed authorities to prevent overcrowding at Prayagraj stations, deploy more Mela Special trains and additional Transport Corporation buses.
