Stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya: Chaos, Reactions, and Preventive Measures

KKN Gurugram Desk |  A stampede broke out at the Sangam Nose area during the Maha Kumbh Mela on Mauni Amavasya, leading to multiple injuries among devotees. The incident occurred around 1 AM when thousands of pilgrims rushed to take the holy dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Following the chaos, the second Amrit Snan was put on hold, and authorities immediately deployed heavy security to control the crowd and prevent further incidents.

The tragic event has raised concerns over crowd management at one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured full support to the Uttar Pradesh government, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged devotees to follow administrative guidelines and avoid overcrowding.

Amrit Snan Suspended Amid Security Concerns

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), after consultations with the administration, decided to suspend the Amrit Snan as a precautionary measure. ABAP President Mahant Ravindra Puri expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that while seers and saints were ready for the procession, they chose to postpone the Snan in the interest of public safety.

In a statement, Mahant Ravindra Puri mentioned, “This Maha Kumbh holds immense significance, especially as the occasion comes once in 144 years. However, given the current situation, we have decided to prioritize safety and will now participate in the third Amrit Snan on February 3, 2025.”

Religious leaders and spiritual figures have urged devotees to take dips at alternative ghats instead of heading towards Sangam Nose. Jagatguru Rambhadracharya, Acharya Mahamandelshwar Balakanand Puri, and Devkinandan Thakur have emphasized that Ganga’s sanctity remains the same across all ghats and that avoiding congestion will help prevent further mishaps.

Enhanced Security Measures Post Stampede

Following the incident, authorities have strengthened security arrangements at the Maha Kumbh venue. Key measures include:

• Increased police deployment at entry and exit points to regulate crowd movement.
• Special paramilitary forces patrolling high-risk areas.
• Formation of a “Super 20” team, responsible for managing crowd dispersal at key bathing ghats.
• Temporary barricades to divert the flow of pilgrims.
• Dedicated war room monitoring by the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and Principal Secretary-Home for real-time situation updates.

District Magistrate Vijay Kiran Anand has been patrolling the area, ensuring that devotees adhere to safety protocols.

Meanwhile, CM Yogi Adityanath has appealed to the public not to believe in rumors and assured that the state government is actively monitoring the situation. He also advised devotees to opt for alternative ghats to avoid congestion at Sangam.

Prime Minister and Home Minister Assure Full Support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after being briefed about the situation, has spoken with CM Yogi Adityanath multiple times, ensuring immediate relief measures. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also assured full central government support in managing the situation.

CM Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure the best medical aid for those injured. A special medical team has been deployed at the Maha Kumbh Sector 2 hospital, where injured devotees are being treated.

The next major bathing event, Basant Panchami Snan, scheduled for February 3, is now under intense security review, with authorities aiming to enhance management and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Political Leaders React, Demand Better Arrangements

The incident has drawn strong reactions from political leaders across parties. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over the incident and demanded better emergency response mechanisms, including the use of air ambulances for severely injured individuals.

Taking to social media, he stated, “This tragic incident highlights the need for better crowd management at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The government must ensure enhanced medical facilities, security arrangements, and proper pilgrim accommodations to prevent such tragedies in the future.”

Similarly, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati extended her condolences to the affected families and urged authorities to take strict preventive measures for future events.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed sorrow over the stampede at Prayagraj, urging pilgrims to remain patient, follow security protocols, and avoid overcrowding at the Sangam area.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh, questioning the utilization of public funds allocated for the event. He emphasized that VIP movements must be restricted and that basic amenities like food, shelter, and medical assistance should be prioritized over publicity-oriented arrangements.

Spiritual Leaders Call for Prayers and Calmness

Amid the turmoil, Parmarth Niketan Head Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj conducted a Shanti Puja (prayer for peace) and appealed to devotees to prioritize safety over rituals.

He remarked, “At this moment, the greatest service is to ensure safety. We have advised devotees to take a holy dip wherever they are, rather than risking their lives at an overcrowded Sangam.”

Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur also urged pilgrims to remain calm and follow official instructions, stating, “I chose to bathe at a less crowded ghat, and I still received the same spiritual blessings. The safety of devotees is of utmost importance.”

Future Measures: What Authorities Plan to Implement?

In light of the stampede at Maha Kumbh, authorities are planning several new measures to prevent future tragedies, including:

1. Strict Crowd Control Measures: Increased security at all key locations, ensuring controlled entry and exit points.
2. More Alternative Bathing Spots: Expanding temporary ghats along a 12-km stretch of the Ganga to accommodate large crowds.
3. Real-time Monitoring: Using drones and surveillance cameras to monitor crowd movement.
4. Dedicated Medical Response Units: Setting up emergency medical stations closer to densely populated areas.
5. Strict Regulation of VIP Movements: Minimizing disruptions caused by political and religious dignitaries.
6. Public Awareness Campaigns: Encouraging devotees to follow security protocols and avoid congested areas.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, and ensuring the safety of millions of devotees is a challenging yet crucial task. The stampede at Sangam Nose has exposed loopholes in crowd management and emergency response, prompting urgent corrective measures.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath actively monitoring the situation, there is hope that the upcoming Amrit Snan on February 3 will be better managed, allowing devotees to partake in the sacred event safely.

For now, authorities continue to closely monitor the situation, urging pilgrims to prioritize safety over rituals. With strict security measures in place, the focus remains on ensuring a seamless and peaceful Maha Kumbh experience for all.