Indian authorities have launched a judicial inquiry into a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu festival that claimed the lives of dozens of devotees on Wednesday. The incident unfolded as millions gathered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for a \"holy dip\" at the confluence of three sacred rivers—the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati—during the six-week-long event.
According to police reports, at least 30 people were killed and 90 injured in the crush. However, sources informed Reuters that the death toll could be nearly 40. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with some attributing the tragedy to a sudden surge toward the riverbanks causing devotees to fall upon each other. Others pointed to the closure of routes leading to the water, which led to overcrowding and suffocation as the dense crowd came to a standstill.
\"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be conducted. For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission,\" announced Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a press briefing late on Wednesday. \"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 vast numbers of pilgrims. Officials reported that over 76 million people participated in the holy dip on Wednesday alone, and nearly 280 million have attended the festival since it began two weeks ago. The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is considered the world's largest human congregation and is expected to attract around 400 million devotees by its conclusion in 2025.
For devout Hindus, bathing at the sacred confluence is believed to absolve sins and offer salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The gathering attracts people from all walks of life, including federal ministers, business leaders, and cultural icons.
Opposition leaders have criticized the management of the festival, blaming mismanagement for the stampede and urging the government to enhance safety measures. Local media echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for improved crowd planning to prevent future incidents.
\"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.\"
As the festival progresses, authorities are under pressure to ensure safety during the remaining three 'royal dips'—specific dates deemed particularly sacred for bathing—which are scheduled before the event concludes. While daily holy dips continue, these royal dips attract even larger crowds, heightening concerns over crowd control and safety.
