Kolkata: BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty said 70 crore people attended Maha Kumbh showcasing the power of ‘ Sanatan Dharam’.
Chakraborty, who is known for his impassioned speeches, said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on Maha Kumbha Mela are inaccurate, according to NDTV.
‘What she is saying is wrong. 70 crore people have come here and taken a holy dip, is that incorrect? People have seen the power of Sanatan Dharam,’ Chakraborty was quoted as saying.
The actor was responding to Banerjee's statement on Tuesday that Maha Kumbh occurring after 144 years was not true.
‘After 144 years, Mahakumbh will come. This is not right. If I'm wrong, correct me. As per my knowledge, the punya snan (holy dip) system comes every year. Actually, we organise the Gangasagar Mela. That's why I know about the holy dip,’ she was quoted as saying.
The Chief Minister termed Maha Kumbh a ‘Mrityu Kumbh’, referring to the deadly stampede, adding ‘This is 'Mrityu Kumbh'. I respect Maha Kumbh, I respect the holy Ganga Maa. But there is no planning. How many people have been recovered?’
Alongside urging the UP government to compensate families of the stampede victims, Banejee said she had not said anything about pilgrims but about the preparations at Maha Kumbha.
‘I never said (anything) about the pilgrims who took a holy dip in Mahakumbh, I respect them. I'm talking about the system and the preparation there. If there is no planning, people will suffer. I appeal to the Yogi government to give compensation to those who died in the Mahakumbh 2025 stampede,’ she reportedly said.