Mahakumbh Stampede-Like Situation: Several Injured; PM Modi Calls CM Yogi Adityanath - Top Developments

A massive gathering at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh turned chaotic on Wednesday, leading to a "stampede-like" situation in which several people, including women and children, sustained injuries. The incident occurred amid the ongoing Mauni Amavasya celebrations, one of the most spiritually significant bathing dates in the Kumbh Mela.

Millions of devotees had converged at the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—early in the morning for a holy dip. However, the surging crowd led to a barrier collapse, causing panic and injuries among the pilgrims.

Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, Akanksha Rana, confirmed the incident, stating, "Some people have got injured and have been hospitalised after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to have the exact count of those injured."

Chaos Unfolds: Witnesses Recall Harrowing Experience
The incident, which occurred around 2 PM, saw tightly packed crowds pushing against one another, leading to a sudden collapse of the barriers. Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the ordeal faced by devotees.

Sarojini, a pilgrim from Karnataka, narrated her traumatic experience while weeping outside a hospital, "We came in a batch of 60 people in two buses. Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down, and the crowd went uncontrolled."

A man from Chhattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, reported that his mother was among the injured, while a middle-aged couple from Meghalaya described the horrifying moments they endured as they struggled to escape the crowd.

Another woman at the hospital, whose child suffered injuries, expressed her distress, saying, "There was nowhere to go. Some people who pushed us were laughing while we begged them for kindness towards the children."

Traditional Amrit Snan Called Off by Akharas
Following the incident, the Akharas, monastic orders that lead the Shahi Snan processions, decided to call off their traditional Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, announced the decision, stating, “You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on ‘Mauni Amavasya.”

As per Kumbh Mela traditions, Akharas belonging to the three sects—Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen—take the holy dip in a majestic procession, but the dangerous crowd surge forced them to withdraw this year.

PM Modi Reviews Situation, Calls CM Yogi Adityanath
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reviewed the situation following the chaos at the Maha Kumbh. In a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he emphasised the need for immediate support measures and directed authorities to ensure swift medical assistance to the injured.

Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana later reassured the public that the situation was under control, stating, "On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured and are under treatment. It is not a serious situation."

Rescue operations were promptly initiated, and those injured were rushed to the central hospital established in the Mela area. Senior administrative and police officials arrived at the hospital to assess the situation and provide assistance to affected families.

Crowd Management Concerns Amid Historic Footfall
The Maha Kumbh 2025 is witnessing an unprecedented influx of devotees, with authorities estimating a total footfall of around 40 crore pilgrims throughout the event. The Mauni Amavasya Snan alone was expected to attract 80-100 million devotees, further straining crowd management efforts.

To prevent overcrowding and ensure safety, the Mela authorities had issued an advisory ahead of the event. Pilgrims were urged to follow designated lanes, avoid lingering at the ghats, and refrain from pushing or jostling at barricades and pontoon bridges. However, the sheer volume of devotees led to an overwhelming situation despite these precautions.

In addition to Mauni Amavasya, the Maha Kumbh features several key bathing dates, including February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri), with authorities now under heightened scrutiny to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Maha Kumbh, being held after 12 years, is considered the largest spiritual congregation on the planet. While the event is meant to be a moment of divine connection for devotees, the stampede-like situation has raised serious concerns about crowd control and infrastructure readiness.

With the Akharas calling off their snan and Prime Minister Modi personally intervening, the incident has put administrative preparedness under the spotlight. As millions continue to pour into the Kumbh Mela, authorities now face a critical challenge in ensuring that safety measures are strengthened for the upcoming bathing dates.
 

(With Agency Inputs)