India is grappling with sorrow after a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu festival claimed the lives of dozens of devotees on Wednesday. 😢 The festival, renowned as the world's largest gathering of humanity, turned into a scene of chaos as millions flocked for a 'holy dip' in the sacred river waters.
Officials reported that 30 people were killed and 90 injured in the crush, but sources suggest the death toll could be nearly 40. Witnesses described a massive push towards the rivers, causing people to fall and suffocate amidst the dense crowd.
Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry into the incident. \"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 told reporters.
On that day alone, over 76 million people took a dip at the confluence of the three sacred rivers in Prayagraj. 🤯 Since the festival began two weeks ago, nearly 280 million people have attended, including federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is expected to draw some 400 million devotees in 2025. To put that into perspective, the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia drew 1.8 million people last year.
Devout Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers absolves them of sins and brings salvation from the cycle of birth and death. It's a journey of faith and devotion that millions undertake despite the challenges.
Opposition leaders have criticized the management of the festival, urging the government to improve arrangements. Local media echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better crowd planning to prevent such tragedies.
\"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh,\" stated an editorial in the Hindustan Times. \"There is no doubt that more personnel have to be deployed, and better planning is needed—using both ground resources and modern technology.\"
With three more 'royal dips' scheduled before the festival ends, there is a pressing need to enhance safety measures. While devotees take holy dips daily, specific dates are considered particularly sacred, drawing even larger crowds.
As the nation mourns, there is hope that lessons will be learned to ensure the safety of the millions who come seeking spiritual solace. 🙏
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
