Akhilesh Yadav urges Maha Kumbh extension as devotee surge causes chaos

As millions of devotees continue to arrive at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has demanded an extension of the event, citing the overwhelming crowds still hoping to participate. Yadav stated that in previous years, the Kumbh Mela lasted for 75 days, while this time, the duration is significantly shorter.

"Even now, many people want to attend Maha Kumbh but cannot. In such a situation, the government should extend the festival's time limit," Akhilesh Yadav said in a statement. His remarks come as visuals of overcrowded trains, jam-packed roads, and endless queues flood social media, showing the massive scale of the gathering.

The Prayagraj Sangam railway station had to be temporarily shut down earlier this week due to an uncontrollable rush of pilgrims. Reports suggest that traffic congestion on roads leading to the Kumbh stretched for several kilometers, causing delays for thousands of devotees. The state government, however, has assured that arrangements are in place to handle the influx of people safely.

Apart from requesting an extension, Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government of underreporting the number of fatalities caused by a stampede at the Kumbh Mela last month. He claimed that officials are concealing the true figures to avoid public backlash. The state government has denied these allegations, maintaining that all safety measures are being strictly followed.

The Maha Kumbh, the world's largest spiritual gathering, began on January 13 and is scheduled to end on February 26, coinciding with Maha Shivaratri. According to official data, over 50 crore devotees have taken a holy dip at the Sangam as of February 14, surpassing the combined populations of Russia and the United States. On Friday alone, over 92 lakh people took a dip, pushing total footfall beyond the 50-crore mark.

With the festival nearing its final days, the demand for an extension has gained traction among devotees and political leaders alike. However, the state government has not yet issued any official response regarding a possible extension of the Maha Kumbh.