Kumbh Mela Tragedy Sparks Outrage: The recent stampede at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh has raised significant questions about the management and security of the religious event. Mahamandaleshwar Premanand Puri expressed his grief and said that it was beyond the power of the police to handle the vast crowd that gathered during the Kumbh. He demanded the deployment of the army and said that if this responsibility had been handed over to the military, this tragedy could have been avoided.
Emotional statement of Mahamandaleshwar Premanand Puri
Mahamandaleshwar Premanand Puri, associated with Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani, became emotional while talking to the media after this incident. He said,
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | After a stampede took place at #MahaKumbh2025, Niranjani Akhara Chief Kailashanand Giri Maharaj says, “Seeing the large and indispensable crowds, Akhara Parishad and all the acharyas have decided that we will not do ‘snaan’ today. We need to keep the… pic.twitter.com/gGuUzc2iWg
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
“We had already said that the security of the Kumbh Mela should be handed over to the army, but we were not heard. The police can’t handle such a large crowd. This accident would not have happened if this responsibility had been handed over to the army.”
VIDEO | Maha Kumbh2025: Lakhs of devotees throng Triveni Sangam for ‘Amrit Snan’ on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. #MahaKumbhWithPTI #MahaKumbh2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/4XkbwesY0z
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 29, 2025
He further said that after this stampede, the saints of the Akhara advised their devotees to maintain restraint and slowly return to their camps.
Big decision of Akhada Parishad
The President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Ravindra Puri, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and said it happened because a large crowd was gathering at Sangam. He appealed to the devotees to choose an alternative day, Vasant Panchami, for the Kumbh bath to avoid crowding.
#WATCH | #महाकुंभ2025 | प्रयागराज, उत्तर प्रदेश: अखिल भारतीय अखाड़ा परिषद के अध्यक्ष रवींद्र पुरी ने कहा, “जो घटना हुई उससे हम बहुत दुखी हैं। हमारे साथ हजारों श्रद्धालु थे… जनहित में हमने फैसला किया कि अखाड़े आज स्नान में भाग नहीं लेंगे… मैं लोगों से अपील करता हूं कि वे आज के… pic.twitter.com/eyIaa2JbVG
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) January 29, 2025
Ravindra Puri said,
“It is not easy for the administration to handle crores of people. We should cooperate with the authorities. Wherever the holy water of Ganga is available, one should take a dip there instead of going to Sangam Ghat itself.”
What does the review of the incident say?
After this tragedy, a thorough review of the security arrangements has become necessary. Although the administration claimed to have made arrangements at its level, the possibility of such a large number of devotees coming may not have been taken seriously.
#WATCH | Maha Kumbh Stampede | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya Ji says, “I appeal to all the devotees that because a large crowd has gathered in Prayagraj today, they should not insist on taking a holy dip only at the Sangam Ghat. As of now, they should… pic.twitter.com/KV7KZ9ptfn
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
Debate on the deployment of the army
Saint society and religious organizations demand that the security of such a big event be handed over to the army. Millions of devotees reach events like Kumbh Mela, which makes it the world’s largest religious gathering. In such a situation, better planning and security arrangements are essential.
Appeal to the public and administration for cooperation
While the saint community expressed pain and suggestions, devotees have been appealed to follow restraint and discipline. To avoid crowding, travel and bathe only at the prescribed time and place.
An event like the Maha Kumbh symbolizes religious faith and presents an administrative challenge. In the future, better management and security measures should be focused on learning lessons from this tragedy. The suggestion of deploying the army is an essential topic that should be taken seriously.