Maha Kumbh stampede: Focus on arrangements for common devotees and not VIPs: Rahul Gandhi to UP govt

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday described the stampede incident at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh as "extremely sad" and asked the state government to "focus on better arrangements for common devotees rather than VIPs".

On his social media handle X, Rahul Gandhi in a post X said, "The news of several people being killed and many being injured due to stampede at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad".

"Mismanagement, administration's special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident," Rahul said.

Gandhi further said, "There is still a lot of time left for the Maha Kumbh, many more Shahi Snan are to take place. The government should improve the system to prevent a tragic incident like today from happening again".

He said, "VIP culture should be curbed and the government should make better arrangements to meet the needs of common devotees. I request Congress workers and leaders to help the affected families".

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प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में भगदड़ के कारण कई लोगों के मौत और कईयों के घायल होने की ख़बर अत्यंत दुखद है।

शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।

इस दुखद घटना के लिए कुप्रबंधन, बदइंतजामी और आम श्रद्धालुओं की जगह VIP…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 29, 2025 >

It may be mentioned that few pilgrims were injured in a stampede on the Sangam bank at the Maha Kumbh here early on Wednesday, official sources said.

The sources said the incident took place around 2 am due to heavy crowd pressure on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. However, the exact number of the injured is yet to be confirmed by the Mela administration or the police.