Hema Malini calls Mahakumbh stampede a 'not very big incident'

In the wake of a tragic stampede at the Mahakumbh, which resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives and injured around 60 people, BJP MP Hema Malini has sparked controversy by downplaying the incident. Speaking to the media, she stated, “It is right that an incident took place, but it was not a very big incident. I don’t know how big it was. It is being exaggerated. It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well.” Her comments came after the stampede occurred during the second Shahi Snan on Mouni Amawasya, a significant day for the devotees attending the grand gathering.

Hema Malini, who participated in the Kumbh festivities, continued to assert that the Uttar Pradesh government has been managing the event effectively despite the overwhelming number of attendees. “So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage, but we are doing our best,” she added. However, her remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders who are questioning the government’s response to the tragedy.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav voiced his concerns in the Lok Sabha, claiming that the government was hiding the real death toll from the stampede. He demanded strict punitive action against those responsible for the incident and expressed disbelief at the government’s handling of the situation. “For the Mahakumbh tragedy, there should be strict punitive action against those responsible, and those who have hidden the truth should be punished,” he stated. Yadav further questioned the government’s integrity, asking, “If there was no guilt, then why were the figures suppressed, hidden, and erased?”

The gravity of the situation has also led to accusations that the government may have been evasive about the actual figures, with Yadav suggesting that authorities had to employ earth movers to collect the bodies following the incident. He emphasized the need for transparency, calling for the government to present detailed figures related to the deaths, treatment of the injured, and the availability of essential services during the Mahakumbh in Parliament.

As the incident continues to unfold, the contrasting narratives surrounding the stampede highlight the challenges faced by the government in managing large-scale events and the importance of accountability in ensuring the safety of attendees. While Hema Malini maintains a stance of efficient management, the calls for action and clarity from opposition leaders underscore the need for thorough investigations and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.