In a heart-wrenching turn of events, India has ordered a probe into a devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela that claimed the lives of dozens of devotees on Wednesday. As millions gathered for a 'holy dip' in the sacred waters, the world's largest human congregation turned into a scene of chaos and sorrow.
Authorities reported that at least 30 people lost their lives and 90 were injured in the crush. However, sources suggested the death toll could be closer to 40. Witnesses described a massive surge towards the rivers, with some devotees falling over each other, while others blamed the closure of routes leading to the water, causing suffocation and collapse among the dense crowd.
Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the incident, stating, \"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done. For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission.\" He assured that the commission will thoroughly investigate and submit its report promptly.
The magnitude of the festival is staggering. On Wednesday alone, officials noted that over 76 million people took a dip at the confluence of the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj. Since the festival kicked off two weeks ago, nearly 280 million devotees have participated, including prominent figures like federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a spiritual magnet for devout Hindus who believe that bathing in these sacred waters absolves sins and liberates one from the cycle of birth and death. It's anticipated that by the festival's conclusion, attendance may soar to around 400 million—a number that dwarfs other global gatherings, such as last year's Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which drew 1.8 million people.
In the wake of the tragedy, opposition leaders criticized the mishandling of the event and called for improved arrangements to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Local media echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better crowd management to prevent future incidents. An editorial in the Hindustan Times urged, \"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh. There is no doubt that more personnel have to be deployed, and better planning is needed—using both ground resources and modern technology.\"
The festival includes specific dates known as 'royal dips,' which are considered particularly sacred. Wednesday marked one such day, and with three more 'royal dips' scheduled before the festival ends, there's a pressing need to enhance safety measures.
As the nation mourns the lives lost, there's a collective hope that the investigation will lead to meaningful changes, ensuring that faith and devotion can be practiced without fear. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. 🕊️
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India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
