West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, slammed the Central Government and BJP-led Uttar Pradesh Government over alleged mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh Mela, currently taking place in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. “Maha Kumbh has turned into ‘Mrityu Kumbh’” said Mamata Banerjee.
Mamata Banerjee also claimed that the Uttar Pradesh Government hid “hundreds of bodies” after the Maha Kumbh stampede last month.
“There is no planning…How many people have been recovered? For the rich, the VIP, there are systems available to get camps [tents] for as high as Rs 1 lakh. For the poor, there are no arrangements at Kumbh…Stampede situation is common in a ‘mela’ but it is important to make arrangements. What planning did you make?” said Mamata Banerjee, attacking the CM Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh Government.
At least 30 people died and 60 were injured in a stampede in Prayagraj last month, while 18 people lost their lives in a recent stampede at an overcrowded New Delhi railway station.
“They have hidden hundreds of bodies to bring down the toll. The Maha Kumbh has turned into a ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ under the BJP rule,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Mamata Banerjee also dared the Bharatiya Janata Party to prove allegations of her having connection with Bangladeshi fundamentalists, adding that she would resign if the party was able to establish so.
Mamata Banerjee said she would complain to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about “his MLAs” accusing her of “being hand-in-glove with Bangladeshi fundamentalists”.
She alleged that the BJP was using religion to serve its political interests, adding that “freedom of speech doesn’t allow BJP MLAs to spread hatred and divide people”.
Mamata Banerjee’s speech in the West Bengal Assembly set off a fierce reaction from the BJP.
Amit Malviya, West Bengal’s co-in-charge, said: “Mamata Banerjee’s uncalled-for attack on the Maha Kumbh is the first sign of her imminent defeat in 2026. She is extremely nervous after Arvind Kejriwal’s complete decimation in Delhi. Last time, like Kejriwal, she lost her election from Nandigram. This time, she fears the worst.”
“Mamata Banerjee, under the influence of Firhad Hakim, a known proponent of Dawat-e-Islam, has once again revealed her deep-seated contempt for Bharat’s cultural and religious traditions. By calling the sacred Maha Kumbh Mrityu Kumbh (Death Kumbh), she has launched a deliberate attack on one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages, attended by millions for centuries.”
He added that Mamata Banerjee never missed an opportunity to appease her vote bank, yet when it comes to Hindu festivals and traditions, her attitude shifts to disdain and hostility. The same leader who goes out of her way to facilitate Eid gatherings, fund madrasas, and permit unrestricted religious processions for extremists suddenly becomes concerned about public health and safety when it involves Hindu religious events.
