Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has urged the BJP government in the state to extend the time limit of the on-going Maha Kumbh Mela beyond February 26 citing the overwhelming number of devotees on the roads still hoping to reach Prayagraj for a holy dip.
“Even now, many people want to go to Maha Kumbh but cannot. In such a situation, the government should extend the time limit of Maha Kumbh,” Mr Yadav said. “I just wish, and this is what I have said, that the Kumbh Mela time should increase so that elderly people can peacefully take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam,” said Yadav.
Yadav said the Maha Kumbh and Kumbh Mela had continued for 75 days in previous years and this year, the duration of the gathering is shorter, just about 45 days, starting from January 13 to conclude on the Maha Shivratri day on February 26.
Visuals on social media show packed trains, congested roads and massive crowds all heading to the Maha Kumbh. Earlier this week, roads leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela witnessed severe traffic congestion stretching for kilometres. The Prayagraj Sangam railway station was forced to shut down temporarily due to the overwhelming crowd. Mr Yadav also accused the state government of concealing the true number of deaths caused by a stampede at the Maha Kumbh last month.
The former chief minister’s request has come at a time when devotees in overwhelming numbers are travelling to the holy city of Prayagraj via roads and trains with the hopes of attending the Maha Kumbh – the largest spiritual gathering in the world.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission Vice Chairperson Aparna Yadav has appreciated the “top-notch” arrangements done by the Yogi Adityanath government at the Maha Kumbh which has made it possible for devotees from across the country and abroad to participate in it and take a holy dip.
Speaking about the arrangements at the Kumbh, Ms Aparna Yadav said, “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ensured top-notch arrangements at the Kumbh.” “People from across the country, as well as from abroad, are coming to Prayagraj to take a holy dip. Leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition are also taking part in the ritual. Leaders from all political parties, businessmen, industrialists, and people from different sections of society are participating in the Sangam Snan. I would only say that everyone should take a dip and attain spiritual merit,” the leader added.
According to the state government data, more than 50 crore people took the holy dip at the Sangam till Friday evening. This is more than the total population of the United States and Russia. More than 92 lakh took the holy dip till 6 pm on Friday.
