India Launches Inquiry into Deadly Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela Festival
Indian authorities have ordered a judicial probe into a fatal stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu festival that claimed the lives of dozens of devotees on Wednesday. As millions gathered for a \"holy dip\" in the sacred rivers, the world's largest human congregation turned tragic when a sudden crush ensued.
Police officials confirmed that at least 30 people were killed and 90 injured in the incident, while some sources suggested the death toll could be as high as 40. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as surging crowds pushed towards the riverbanks, causing people to fall and, in some cases, suffocate due to the overwhelming density of the masses.
\"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be conducted,\" Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced. \"For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission. The commission will look into the entire matter and submit its report to the state government within a stipulated time frame.\"
The tragic event occurred during one of the festival's most auspicious days, attracting an estimated 76 million pilgrims to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on that day alone. Over the past two weeks since the festival began, nearly 280 million people have participated, including government officials, business leaders, and celebrities.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is revered by devout Hindus who believe that bathing in the sacred waters cleanses them of sins and liberates them from the cycle of rebirth. Officials estimate that the festival will draw approximately 400 million devotees when it occurs again in 2025.
Opposition leaders have criticized the government's handling of the event, blaming mismanagement for the tragedy. They have called for improved planning and crowd control measures to prevent future incidents. Local media echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better organization.
\"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.\"
Organizers are now under pressure to enhance safety protocols ahead of the three remaining 'royal dips'—special days when bathing is considered particularly sacred—scheduled before the festival concludes. While devotees take holy dips daily, these royal dips attract significantly larger crowds, amplifying the challenges of crowd management.
