Kharge asks if taking dip in Ganga ends poverty, says BJP leaders competing for cameras
Mhow (MP), Jan 27 (PTI): On a day Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dip at the Triveni Sangam, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday asked if poverty could be ended by taking a dip in the Ganga, alleging that BJP leaders were competing to take a dip for the cameras.
Addressing the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally in this Madhya Pradesh town, Kharge said BJP leaders kept taking dips till it appeared good on camera, even as he asserted that was not questioning anyone's faith.
He also extended his apology if anyone was hurt by his comment.
"Don't fall into the trap of false promises of (Narendra) Modi. Is poverty ended by taking a dip in the Ganga? Does it fill your stomach? I don't want to question anyone's 'aastha (faith)'. If anyone feels bad, I apologise," Kharge said.
"But tell me, when a child is dying of hunger, is not going to school, labourers are not getting their dues, at such a time, these people are spending thousands of rupees and competing for taking dips (in the Ganga)," the Congress chief said.
They keep taking dips till it appears good on the camera, he said.
"Such people cannot benefit the country. Our faith is in God -- people perform 'puja' at home every day, all women move out of their homes after performing 'puja', there is no issue. But we have an issue with the poor being exploited in the name of religion," Kharge said.
His remarks came hours after Shah took a dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh.
Flanked by some top seers, Shah took the dip around 1 pm.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took a dip separately.
The home minister also held an interaction with Junapithadheeshwar Mahamandaleshwar Acharya Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj and some other top seers aboard a cottage on a floating jetty.
Shah's visit was marked by unprecedented security cover in the mela area and Prayagraj.
During the Mhow rally, Kharge also took a swipe at Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha that had created a furore during the Winter Session.
"'Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai -- Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion these days to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven)'," Shah had said in a jibe at the opposition.
Referring to the remarks, Kharge slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, saying, "They have committed so many sins that they cannot go to 'swarg (heaven)' in 100 lives."
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Stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj leaves many injured, casualties feared: Reports
Prayagraj: A stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has left many injured, with reports suggesting casualties as well. The incident took place in the early hours of Wednesday at the Sangam, where lakhs of devotees had gathered for a ritual dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant bathing days of the Kumbh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath to assess the situation. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed to manage the massive crowds and restore order.
According to a social media content creator who witnessed the incident, the stampede occurred around 2:30 am as devotees reached the Sangam banks. The confusion arose when people carrying heavy luggage on their heads struggled to find an exit route after their ritual bath. Many tripped over iron dustbins that were not visible in the darkness, leading to a chain reaction of people falling.
"I managed to stand up and help my parents and another woman who were on the ground. Soon, panic spread as some youngsters in the crowd began pushing, triggering the stampede," the eyewitness said.
Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya has urged devotees not to insist on bathing only at the Sangam Ghat due to the heavy crowd. Akhada Parishad General Secretary Mahant Hari Giri also appealed to people to take a dip in the Ganga at safer locations and return to their camps to avoid further chaos.
Authorities have taken steps to restore order, including clearing access routes for akhadas and deploying security personnel at key points. Meanwhile, some akhadas have postponed their scheduled snan due to the incident.
The Mahakumbh, which began on 13 January, has reportedly already witnessed over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip, with more than 4.8 crore participating on Tuesday alone. The festival is set to conclude on 26 February.
Special Executive Officer of the Kumbh Mela Authority, Akanksha Rana, downplayed the severity of the incident, stating, "A stampede-like situation occurred after a barrier broke at Sangam Nose. Some people sustained injuries, but no one is in serious condition."
