Mahakumbh 2025: Devotion Unshaken Amid Political Controversy and Misinformation

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Feb. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj is an unparalleled event that represents Bharat’s rich spiritual heritage. As the largest religious congregation in the world, it draws millions of devotees seeking to cleanse themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. This year’s Mahakumbh has seen record-breaking attendance, with over 35 crore pilgrims having taken a holy dip so far.

Since its announcement, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, meticulously prepared to ensure that the event was organized with unprecedented security, technology, and infrastructure. From CCTV surveillance, AI-driven crowd management, and paramilitary deployments, the government left no stone unturned to make the Mahakumbh a seamless experience for devotees.

While the event has largely been hailed as a success, an unfortunate stampede on January 29, which resulted in 30 casualties, provided the opposition with an opportunity to attack the government. What could have been an event for unity and introspection was quickly turned into a political battleground, with misinformation and fear-mongering being used as tools to discredit the government’s efforts and the sanctity of the Mahakumbh itself.

Unprecedented Preparations and Record-Breaking Participation

This year’s Mahakumbh has been different in many ways. The Uttar Pradesh government’s technological integration and security measures have set new benchmarks in event management. To monitor the enormous crowds, hundreds of AI-powered cameras and drones were deployed across the city, allowing real-time tracking of pilgrim movement. Paramilitary and police forces were stationed at critical points, ensuring safety and security. Additionally, emergency response teams and medical units were strategically placed to assist in case of any health concerns.

The scale of these arrangements was widely appreciated by devotees and independent observers. Despite the overwhelming crowds, the administration was successful in ensuring smooth operations for most of the event. The number of pilgrims surpassed expectations, reinforcing the enduring appeal and religious significance of the Mahakumbh.

However, no matter how extensive the preparations, managing millions of devotees converging in a single location always presents challenges. The stampede on January 29 was a tragic moment, but the government responded swiftly, deploying emergency teams and ensuring that those injured received immediate medical assistance.

Political Controversy: How the Opposition Manufactured a Crisis

For nearly two weeks after the event commenced, the opposition remained largely silent, unable to criticize the well-organized and widely praised arrangements. However, as soon as the stampede occurred, leaders from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and other opposition factions began making wild, unsubstantiated claims.

SP leader Jaya Bachchan alleged that thousands of bodies had been dumped into the Ganga to hide the real number of deaths.

#WATCH | Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan says, "… Where is the water most contaminated right now? It's in Kumbh. Bodies (of those who died in the stampede) have been thrown in the river because of which the water has been contaminated… The real issues are not being… pic.twitter.com/9EWM2OUCJj

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2025

Her claim was soon echoed by SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, who stated that 15,000 people had gone missing during the stampede, hinting that their bodies had been secretly disposed of.

Delhi: On the Maha Kumbh stampede, SP Rajya Sabha MP, Ram Gopal Yadav says, "The issue remains the same—such a massive tragedy has occurred at Kumbh, yet the actual numbers are being concealed. Doesn't the public have the right to know whether their family members who went there… pic.twitter.com/g1IC8UJmZp

— IANS (@ians_india) February 3, 2025

These allegations gained further traction when former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reiterated them in the Lok Sabha Budget Session, attempting to create an atmosphere of panic and mistrust.

However, these claims lacked even the most basic evidence. No missing person reports were filed. No independent media reports confirmed large-scale disappearances. No eyewitnesses came forward to validate the theory of bodies floating in the Ganga. The fact that millions of other devotees were present at the same site makes it logistically impossible for such a massive cover-up to go unnoticed.

The Opposition’s Hypocrisy and The Real Political Agenda

The opposition’s sudden concern for the safety of pilgrims seems deeply hypocritical, especially when one examines historical stampedes that occurred under their governance.

In 2013, under the rule of the Samajwadi Party, a stampede at the Allahabad railway station during the Mahakumbh resulted in 42 deaths. There was no similar outrage, nor were there baseless conspiracy theories suggesting bodies were being dumped in the river.

Similarly, the 1954 Mahakumbh stampede, which remains the deadliest in history with over 800 deaths, was attributed to poor planning, but no political party then tried to use it to push false narratives.

The real reason behind the opposition’s desperate attempt to malign the Mahakumbh lies in the growing consolidation of Hindu identity. Events like the Ram Mandir inauguration and the Mahakumbh symbolize a unified Hindu consciousness, something that threatens parties that have historically relied on caste-based vote-bank politics. The Samajwadi Party, in particular, has been uncomfortable with the rising Hindu unity, which transcends traditional caste divides. The overwhelming support that Yogi Adityanath’s government has received from across Hindu communities has left them politically vulnerable, forcing them to manufacture controversies to remain relevant.

The Role of Misinformation and Media Manipulation

Adding to the controversy, social media and certain sections of the media played a crucial role in spreading misinformation. Images claiming to show bodies floating in the Ganga were later found to be unrelated to the Mahakumbh, some dating back to entirely different events.

The opposition’s failure to provide even a single verified report of mass disappearances, combined with their reluctance to file official complaints or approach the courts, exposes the hollowness of their claims. Fear-mongering requires no evidence, but in a court of law, proof is mandatory, which is why they choose to stir public hysteria rather than seek legal recourse.

Why Such Political Exploitation Must Be Called Out

Exploiting a tragic incident for political mileage is both unethical and irresponsible. The government must be held accountable for ensuring public safety, and every life lost in the stampede is precious. However, opposition parties that resort to misinformation and communal fear-mongering are doing a grave disservice to both democracy and faith.

If the opposition truly cared about the safety of pilgrims, they would focus on constructive engagement, offering suggestions and improvements rather than spreading outright falsehoods.

At a time when Hindu unity is growing stronger, the opposition sees no way to divide them. Their only strategy, therefore, is to discredit and attack events like the Mahakumbh, hoping to create a rift between faith and governance.

The devotees, however, have largely rejected these political games. Instead of being deterred by fear-mongering, the turnout for the next Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami increased significantly. This response from the public is the strongest possible rejection of the opposition’s attempt to derail the event.

Conclusion: The Faith of Millions Will Outlive Political Games

Despite the political attacks, Mahakumbh 2025 remains a resounding success. The unprecedented participation, meticulous planning, and faith-driven enthusiasm of devotees have ensured that the essence of the Kumbh remains untouched by controversy.

While the opposition continues its attempts to discredit the event, the sheer devotion of millions proves that faith stands above politics. The 2025 Mahakumbh will be remembered not for the controversy but for the spiritual unity it fostered, bringing together Hindus from across the world in an unshakable bond of devotion and heritage.