Sending hindi book: Akhilesh Yadav takes sharp jibe at CM Yogi over Kumbh mismanagement

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of the Maha Kumbh Mela, alleging mismanagement and prioritization of self-promotion over proper arrangements for devotees. He claims that while event management companies were hired to invite prominent personalities, common pilgrims faced significant difficulties due to inadequate facilities. Yadav has also questioned the government's reported figures, suggesting that the actual number of pilgrims is being underreported.

Railway station stampede

He emphasizes the need for extending the Kumbh period to accommodate all devotees, especially the elderly who have yet to participate. In response to recent stampedes during the Maha Kumbh and at the New Delhi railway station, Yadav criticized the government for not providing accurate casualty counts. He argues that while the government can tally the number of people taking a dip at the Sangam, it fails to account for the deceased and missing individuals, attributing the railway station stampede to governmental negligence. Highlighting the hardships faced by devotees traveling to religious sites like Varanasi and Ayodhya, Yadav points out that many have died due to a lack of basic amenities. He contends that despite the government's claims of economic growth, it has been unable to provide essential services such as food, transportation, and adequate bathing facilities for pilgrims, labeling the situation a complete failure. 

Samajwadi Party leader

Regarding the recent arrest of a Samajwadi Party leader, Yadav accuses Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of focusing more on social media than on governance. He suggests that the Chief Minister is more concerned with suppressing criticism than addressing real issues, alleging that the BJP politicizes religious, cultural, and sporting events for its own benefit. In a related critique, Yadav has dismissed the government's claim that nine crore people participated in the Maha Kumbh as exaggerated, urging the administration to provide accurate figures and improve facilities for pilgrims. 

Government's failure to ensure safety

These criticisms come in the wake of a tragic stampede during the Maha Kumbh, which resulted in multiple casualties. Yadav has called for the immediate involvement of the army in managing the event to restore faith among the saint community and devotees, citing the government's failure to ensure safety and proper management.  Akhilesh Yadav's remarks highlight concerns over the Uttar Pradesh government's management of the Maha Kumbh Mela, focusing on issues of mismanagement, inaccurate reporting, and inadequate facilities for pilgrims.