In a heart-wrenching turn of events, India has launched an investigation into the tragic 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 rivers, the sheer size of the crowd led to chaos and confusion, resulting in a devastating loss. 💔
Police reports confirm that at least 30 people were killed and 90 injured, but some sources suggest the death toll may be closer to 40. Witnesses described a massive push towards the riverbanks, causing people to fall and suffocate in the crush. Others blamed the closure of key routes for the bottleneck that halted the dense crowd.
\"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done. For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission,\" announced Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. \"The commission will look into the entire matter and submit its report to the state government within a time limit.\"
Despite the tragedy, the festival continues to draw unprecedented numbers. Officials reported that more than 76 million people took a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj on Wednesday alone. 🌊
Over 280 million have attended the festival since it began two weeks ago, including prominent figures like federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities. The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is expected to attract around 400 million devotees in 2025. To put that into perspective, last year's Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia drew 1.8 million people.
For devout Hindus, bathing at the confluence of these sacred rivers is believed to cleanse sins and offer salvation from the cycle of birth and death. 🙏
Opposition leaders are pointing fingers at mismanagement, urging the government to improve festival arrangements. Local media echoed these concerns, highlighting the need for better crowd control to prevent future incidents. \"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh,\" stated an editorial in the Hindustan Times.
With three more 'royal dips' scheduled in the coming weeks, there's a pressing need to ensure safety measures are ramped up. While 'holy dips' occur daily, these 'royal' dips are considered especially sacred, drawing even larger crowds.
As the festival continues, the hope is that lessons are learned to prevent such tragedies from repeating. The spirit of the Kumbh Mela is one of devotion and unity—a time when millions come together in faith. Let's hope that spirit prevails in ensuring the safety and well-being of all who attend. ❤️
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
