The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: The stampede-like situation which broke out at the Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday (January 29) amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela killed 30 people and injured 60, DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna said in a press conference at 6.30 pm on the day.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. While 25 victims have been identified, the remaining five are still being identified said the DIG.
According to Krishna, four people among the deceased were from Karnataka, one was from Assam and one from Gujarat.
The district administration has issued official helpline number 1924.
“On the Mauni Amavasya Snan, between 1 and 2 am ahead of the Brahm Muhurta, huge crowd gathered on the Akhara route, because of which the barricades on the other side broke. The crowd on this side crossed to the other side and started running over devotees waiting for Brahm Muhurta. The administration quickly enforced the rescue operation and created a green corridor for ambulances, and took 90 injured to the hospitals. Unfortunately, 30 of those devotees have died,” said the DIG.
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member judicial commission headed by retired Allahabad high court Justice Harsh Kumar, former DG V.K. Gupta and retired IAS D.K. Singh to look into the matter.
It will also grant Rs 25 lakh as financial assistance to the next of kin of those who died in the incident, chief minister Adityanath said.
‘The incident is unfortunate… naturally on all these questions will be raised’: Adityanath
Speaking on the incident, Adityanath underlined that it “happened because of the massive crowd breaking the barricades and crossing the line”.
“The incident is unfortunate and heart-wrenching. Our deepest condolences to all their families… We have been in constant touch with the Mela administration, police, NDRF, SDRF… Whatever facilities could be possible have been provided there. It is a result of this only that within some time of the incident, a green corridor was created and injured were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, these deaths have happened… naturally, on all these issues, questions will be raised…” Adityanath was quoted as saying by PTI.
Dip in holy waters by akharas deferred due to stampede; concludes in evening
Following the event, the traditional “Amrit Snan” that takes place on the Mauni Amavasya by akharas that was scheduled to take place in the morning was deferred to the afternoon.
PTI late on Wednesday cited officials as saying that seers from all 13 akharas had taken the snan by 7:30 pm.
Earlier speculation
“More than seven people have been killed in the stampede and around 10 others injured,” an official told Reuters on the condition of anonymity.
However, 12 hours after the stampede, both the Union and the Uttar Pradesh governments had been silent on the number of casualties and didn’t release a figure until the top cop organised a presser.
“Some people have got injured and have been hospitalised after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to have the exact count of those injured,” said Akanksha Rana, Officer on Special Duty for the Kumbh Mela.
‘Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd and we got trapped’
“We came in a batch of 60 people in two buses, we were nine people in the group. Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled. There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides,” Sarojini, a devotee from Karnataka told PTI Videos.
The Amrit Snan, that takes place on the occasion of the Mauni Amavasya, is considered to be the most significant ritual at the Kumbh Mela and is expected to be attended by 10 crore pilgrims.
“There were multiple stampedes. There were at least 200 injured and I’d say around 50 dead. I saw them with my own eyes,” a paramilitary officer at the scene told The Guardian.
“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 problems faced by the common people in mind. In Indian traditions, saints always pray and work for the well-being of all… Keeping that in mind, all the Akharas have agreed to and refrained from taking a holy dip today. We will joyfully take a holy dip on Vasant Panchmi,” said Niranjani Akhara Chief Kailashanand Giri Maharaj, reported ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the incident as “extremely sad” and said that he is in touch with the Uttar Pradesh government.
“The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X after the incident.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in a video statement on X that that incident took place around 1-2am on Wednesday and some devotees were “seriously injured” while trying to jump barricades and go for Amrit Snan.
Rahul Gandhi says focus on ‘VIP movement’ responsible for accident
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that the administration’s focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident.
“I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. Mismanagement, mismanagement and administration’s special focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees are responsible for this tragic incident,” Gandhi posted on X.
“There is still a lot of time left for Maha Kumbh, many more Mahasnans are to be held. The government should improve the system to prevent a tragic incident like today. VIP culture should be curbed and the government should make better arrangements to fulfill the needs of common devotees,” added Gandhi posted.
Gandhi requested Congress workers and leaders to help the affected families.
Similarly, speaking to media persons in Guwahati, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate underlined that the “VIP culture” should end at the Kumbh Mela. “Mismanagement due to VIP culture is the reason why the stampede took place. This VIP culture at Maha Kumbh must end. People go there to offer prayers, but this VIP culture creates problems for the common man,” Shrinate was quoted as saying by PTI.
In an earlier report, The Wire had highlighted how common people and mendicants are being sidelined at the Kumbh Mela for the sake of VIP culture. The report had mentioned that by sidelining Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath and outsourcing key responsibilities to Ernst & Young, the Modi government has made a critical misstep and a mismanaged Mauni Amavasya could not only lead to a tragedy.
‘This is a big mistake’
Reacting to the stampede in Maha Kumbh, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj blamed the BJP government for making religious events “political”.
“This is a very serious matter. The UP government invited the entire country and lakhs of people to the Maha Kumbh. But, the chief minister of the state, who should have overseen the arrangements, fled from UP and started holding political rallies in Delhi. This is a big mistake.
“The BJP government has made religious events political. VIPs and billionaires are flattered there, this is injustice to the common devotees. Yogi Adityanath and the administration are completely responsible for the situation that developed there, they should resign for this,” Bharadwaj said.
This copy is being updated.