Maha Kumbh has turned into ‘Mrityu Kumbh': CM Mamata slams Yogi Govt

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticized Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, referring to the event as a "Mrityu Kumbh" (Death Kumbh) following the tragic stampede-related deaths. During her address at the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday, Banerjee expressed concerns about the mismanagement of the religious event and its failure to ensure proper safety measures for devotees, especially the less privileged.

Banerjee questioned the lack of planning and accused the Uttar Pradesh government of failing to make necessary arrangements for the safety of attendees. "For the rich, VIPs, there are systems available to get camps for as high as ₹1 lakh. For the poor, there are no arrangements at Kumbh," she said. The Chief Minister stressed that the stampede incident was not uncommon in large gatherings but emphasized that adequate preparations could have prevented it.

She also raised concerns about the handling of the deceased, alleging that bodies from the Kumbh were sent to Bengal without proper post-mortem reports or death certificates. Banerjee criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for reportedly attributing the deaths to heart attacks and denied families the right to compensation. "We conducted the post-mortem here because you sent the bodies without death certificates. How will these people receive compensation?" she questioned.

Further condemning the situation, Banerjee accused the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh of using religion for political purposes. She claimed that the government’s handling of the Kumbh had exposed its failure to serve the public’s interest and its use of religious events to push a divisive agenda. Banerjee also questioned the overhyped nature of the event, asking why such a serious matter was not planned properly from the beginning.

In response to accusations from the BJP, particularly those made by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who alleged high levels of anti-national activities in parts of Bengal, Banerjee addressed the allegations directly. She denied claims of illegal immigration and emphasized her government's commitment to the law. Adhikari had also accused the state government of allowing illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar to settle in Bengal, further fueling the ongoing political clash between the ruling TMC and the BJP in the state.