Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 14: The Shadiabad police in Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh have registered a case against Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari for allegedly making controversial remarks on the on-going Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj which not only undermined the dignity of his office but also hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
Mr Ansari allegedly jokingly commented on the belief that bathing at the Sangam – where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet – purifies a person of sins, adding that heaven will be full if every sinner takes a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. “It is believed that people’s sins will be washed away by taking a holy dip at the Sangam during Maha Kumbh. Looking at the massive crowd, it seems now no one will be left in hell and heaven will be houseful,” Mr Ansari said.
The complaint against Mr Ansari was filed by former Ghazipur District Cooperative Bank President Dev Prakash Singh who claimed that the Parliamentarian comment had hurt the sentiments of followers of Sanatana Dharma. According to Ghazipur SP Iraj Raja, on the basis of the complaint, an FIR was registered on February 12 under sections 299 and 353(2) of the BNS for hurting religious sentiments. MP Ansari courted a controversy while addressing a gathering in Shadiabad organised on the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas.
Additionally, he accused the government of failing to provide an accurate death count from the recent stampede at Maha Kumbh. According to official data, 30 people died and 60 others sustained injuries in a pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh last month. He alleged that the actual number of casualties has not been disclosed.
Expressing his disappointment over the handling of crowds, Mr Ansari spoke about the chaotic train journeys due to the rush for Maha Kumbh. He pointed out that youths were seen breaking train windows, causing distress among women and children, while railway ticket collectors (TTs) were forced to remove their uniforms out of fear. “People are breaking the glass windows and women and children inside are seen terrified. Even railway staff and police are struggling to manage the crowd. The TTE doesn’t wear his black coat to avoid being recognised by the crowd, who would rather beat him if they found out if he was TTE,” he said.
Ansari didn’t hold back in his critique of the country’s economic condition. He highlighted that India’s national debt has exceeded ₹200 lakh crore, questioning whether the nation was progressing in proportion to its growing population. He also took a jibe at the political climate, stating that Indians celebrate when Donald Trump becomes the US President, but fail to focus on pressing national issues. Further, he pointed out India’s declining performance in global infrastructure rankings, stating that the country’s port ranking has dropped to 85th place, and the rupee has weakened to ₹88 against the dollar.
This was not the first time Mr Ansari has courted controversy over remarks related to religious practices. Previously, he made comments about the consumption of “ganja” (cannabis) at the Kumbh Mela, implying that saints and sadhus indulged in substance abuse. These remarks had already drawn criticism from Hindu religious communities. He argued that sadhus and saints smoke ganja as prasad, questioning why it remains illegal if it was widely used in religious settings. “Tell Yogi Baba to give ganja legal recognition,” he remarked, directly addressing Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.
Ansari claimed that ganja was openly consumed in religious monasteries across Ghazipur and Lucknow, further strengthening his argument for its legalization. His remarks have sparked sharp debates, with some supporting the call for decriminalization, while others condemn it as an attack on religious practices. He further remarked that during religious events, especially the Kumbh Mela, vast amounts of cannabis are consumed. He claimed that if an entire goods train filled with cannabis were sent to the Kumbh, it would still not be enough.
The remarks triggered a massive backlash from Hindu religious leaders and groups, who accused the MP of defaming their religious practices. He was booked for these remarks as well following which Mr Ansari offered an unconditional apology, stating that his remarks were meant to highlight concerns over drug smuggling and not to target religious practices.
