A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday has raised fresh concerns over crowd management at large religious gatherings. The incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. at Akhara Marg when a group of devotees attempted to climb over barricades, triggering chaos.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact death toll, but multiple casualties have been reported. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that several devotees were “seriously injured.” Security personnel and rescue teams worked through the night to control the situation, carrying the injured on stretchers while scattered belongings like blankets and bags lay across the ground.
Official Reactions & Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several Union Ministers have expressed their condolences. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar also extended their sympathies to the victims’ families. Opposition leaders across party lines have called for better safety measures at such large-scale events.
Religious Rituals Resume Amid Tragedy
Despite the tragedy, the ‘Amrit Snan’ the sacred bathing ritual of the Akharas resumed at 2:30 p.m. The procession, though noticeably subdued, was led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad.
Recurring Issue of Stampedes at Religious Gatherings
This is not the first time a religious event in India has witnessed a fatal stampede.
- January 2025: A stampede at a temple in Andhra Pradesh resulted in six deaths and 35 injuries when devotees rushed for free visit passes.
- July 2024: In Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, 121 people lost their lives in a stampede while trying to get a glimpse of a preacher.
- January 2022: A deadly crush at the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir claimed 12 lives as devotees surged into a narrow shrine.
The Maha Kumbh Mela stampede once again underscores the urgent need for stricter crowd management protocols at high-traffic religious events. Officials have assured a thorough investigation into the incident. Further updates are awaited.
