PM Modi portrays Kumbh, Ram Temple as national awakening but evades stampede tragedy
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Lok Sabha, positioned the Maha Kumbh Mela and the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya -both significant Hindu religious events - as defining moments in India's national consciousness, likening them to historic movements such as Gandhi's Dandi March and Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago speech, while deliberately omitting any reference to the fatal stampedes that occurred during the gathering.
Asserting that the Kumbh Mela symbolised India's collective awakening, he lauded the event as an example of national unity, yet his speech overlooked the tragedies that left at least 48 people dead in two separate incidents.
The first occurred at the Sangam on January 29 before the Mauni Amavasya holy bath, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 pilgrims and injuries to 60 others, while the second happened at the New Delhi railway station on February 18, where overcrowding led to the deaths of at least 18 people.
The Prime Minister credited the success of the Maha Kumbh to a collective national effort, asserting that the religious congregation reflected the country's preparedness for the future, reinforcing his narrative of an awakened and resurgent India.
He commended government officials, devotees, and citizens of Uttar Pradesh for ensuring the event's smooth execution, insisting that it demonstrated India’s strength in diversity and its ability to rise above differences.
However, he did not acknowledge the stampedes, which occurred on January 29 at the Sangam in Prayagraj and on February 18 at the New Delhi railway station, leading to significant casualties.
Despite widespread concerns over the deaths, Modi highlighted the Maha Kumbh as a unifying force that exemplified India’s collective consciousness, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party sought to downplay the scale of the stampedes.
The Uttar Pradesh government avoided making direct statements regarding the Prayagraj incident, and the deaths at New Delhi railway station were only officially confirmed when the Prime Minister extended condolences through social media.
Following his address, opposition members protested against his failure to mention the fatalities, leading to disruptions in the House as they demanded a chance to respond. Speaker Om Birla rejected their request, citing parliamentary rules that prevent members from questioning a minister or the Prime Minister after their statements.
As protests escalated, the House was adjourned, and opposition leaders later criticised the government’s refusal to acknowledge the loss of lives, arguing that the Prime Minister should have expressed condolences in his speech.
Outside Parliament, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised Modi for ignoring the deaths, stating that the Maha Kumbh’s significance could not be detached from the tragedies that marred the event.
He also pointed out that young attendees of the Kumbh had concerns beyond religious celebrations, particularly employment opportunities, which the Prime Minister failed to address. The opposition’s demand for accountability was met with procedural restrictions in Parliament, prompting accusations of authoritarianism and suppression of dissent.
He pointed out that while the Kumbh Mela was a significant cultural and historical event, it was also essential for the government to acknowledge the tragedies that occurred during its course and to address the concerns of those who lost their lives.
Despite the opposition's protests, the government continued with parliamentary proceedings, shifting focus to the Ministry of Railways' budget discussions while avoiding any discussion on the fatalities linked to the religious gathering.