BJP’s Protest Against Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ Remark: A Political Firestorm

Paromita Das

New Delhi. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remarks referring to the Maha Kumbh Mela as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ have sparked a political storm, drawing fierce criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hindu religious groups. On Wednesday, BJP workers staged protests in Kolkata, condemning Banerjee’s statement, which they claim is an insult to Hinduism and the sentiments of millions of devotees.

Leading the protest, West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar accused Mamata Banerjee of hurting Hindu sentiments and demanded an apology. Majumdar also announced that a formal complaint had been submitted to the Governor, urging him to take appropriate action against the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the controversy has escalated on a national level, with Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya joining the chorus of criticism. He demanded that not only Mamata Banerjee but also Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge apologize for what he called anti-Hindu statements. Maurya accused the leaders of disrespecting Hindu traditions and claimed that they were politicizing the Kumbh Mela to attack the BJP government.

This political uproar has intensified as leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties continue to clash over religious sentiments, governance failures, and the realities of crowd management at mass religious events.

Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ Comment: A Critique of Poor Planning?

The controversy erupted when Mamata Banerjee, while addressing the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, criticized the lack of planning and safety measures at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where stampedes on January 29 and February 15 led to tragic deaths.

She stated:

“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?”

Her remarks, though intended as a criticism of administrative failures, were quickly interpreted by Hindu religious groups and BJP leaders as an attack on the sacred event itself. Banerjee went further to highlight the disparity in facilities available at the Kumbh Mela, stating:

“For the rich, the VIPs, there are systems available to get camps for as high as Rs 1 lakh. But for the poor, there are no arrangements at Kumbh.”

She emphasized that stampedes are common at large religious gatherings but questioned the BJP government’s preparedness and infrastructure planning, especially in light of multiple tragic incidents that resulted in loss of lives.

BJP’s Response: A Nationwide Protest Against ‘Anti-Hindu’ Statements

Banerjee’s remarks immediately triggered a political backlash, with BJP leaders accusing her of disrespecting Hinduism and the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is regarded as one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus.

BJP’s West Bengal chief, Sukanta Majumdar, led the protests in Kolkata, where hundreds of BJP workers raised slogans against Mamata Banerjee, demanding an apology for her “insulting” remarks. Majumdar stated:

“The way Mamata Banerjee has insulted Hindus and Hindu religion, there should be protests against her in the entire country. We have written to the Governor to take action on the matter.”

Adding fuel to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya condemned Banerjee’s statements and demanded an apology from other opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and Mallikarjun Kharge. Maurya’s response was particularly strong:

“Akhilesh Yadav ji, Mamata didi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge—these three leaders’ statements are anti-Hindu. They are against devotees and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. I strongly condemn their words. They should apologize to the country, the devotees, and the people of the state for hurting religious sentiments.”

Maurya’s remarks further fueled the ongoing debate over the politicization of religious sentiments, with BJP leaders accusing opposition parties of undermining Hindu traditions to gain political leverage.

The Reality: Tragedy at Kumbh Mela and Safety Concerns

While the BJP’s response has focused on the religious and political aspects of Banerjee’s statement, it is important to acknowledge the real issues that she raised regarding the safety and preparedness of large religious gatherings.

The stampede at Prayagraj on January 29, which resulted in at least 30 deaths and 90 injuries, and the New Delhi railway station stampede on February 15, which claimed 18 lives, highlight the urgent need for better crowd management strategies.

Banerjee’s criticism of VIP treatment and economic disparity at the Kumbh Mela also raises valid questions about resource allocation and accessibility for ordinary devotees. While wealthier pilgrims can secure comfortable accommodation and facilities, poorer pilgrims often struggle with inadequate infrastructure, lack of sanitation, and unsafe crowd conditions.

Experts have pointed out that Kumbh Mela attracts millions of devotees, and despite past efforts to streamline logistics and crowd control, tragedies continue to occur due to overcrowding, mismanagement, and insufficient emergency response systems.

The political blame game, however, risks overshadowing genuine concerns about public safety and infrastructure at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

A Controversy Driven by Political Rivalries?

Mamata Banerjee’s choice of words—referring to the event as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’—was certainly provocative and avoidable, given the sensitivity surrounding religious issues in Bharat. However, her core argument about safety concerns and inequality in access to facilities should not be completely dismissed.

On the other hand, the BJP’s response appears to be politically motivated, seeking to capitalize on Hindu sentiment by portraying Banerjee’s statement as an attack on Hindu traditions rather than a critique of governance failures.

This is not the first time that religious matters have been turned into political flashpoints. Similar controversies have emerged in the past, where opposition leaders have been accused of hurting religious sentiments, and the BJP has positioned itself as the guardian of Hindu faith and values.

With the 2024 general elections still fresh in public memory and state elections in West Bengal on the horizon, it is clear that both sides are using religious issues to mobilize their voter bases.

Conclusion: Safety, Sentiments, and Political Maneuvering

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a sacred event for millions of Hindus, and any remarks questioning its safety and organization must be framed carefully to avoid unnecessary religious controversies.

While Mamata Banerjee’s comments were meant to highlight governance failures, the BJP’s counterattack has successfully shifted the narrative towards religious sentiment, overshadowing the core issues of public safety and infrastructure.

Ultimately, both sides need to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on ensuring that such tragedies do not repeat in future religious gatherings. The real question remains: Will politicians use the Kumbh Mela to improve governance, or will they continue to exploit it for electoral gains?

Only time will tell whether this controversy leads to better safety measures or simply remains another chapter in Bharat’s ever-growing saga of religion-driven political battles.