Maha Kumbh stampede: PIL filed in SC accusing UP government of lapses and administrative failure
New Delhi: A day after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj left 30 dead and at least 60 injured, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of "lapses, negligence, and complete administrative failure," highlighting that it is the common people, especially the poor, who bear the brunt of such incidents.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari in the apex court, sought directions to all state governments to ensure the safety and security of people traveling to the Kumbh from their respective states, as reported by The New Indian Express on Thursday.
The PIL stated that directions should be issued to all the respondent states to work collectively for the safe and secure visit of devotees to the Maha Kumbh. It called for the establishment of proper facilitation centers at Prayagraj to provide essential safety information and guidelines to visitors from each state. The centers should also be equipped to assist in case of an emergency.
Tiwari also emphasised that VIP movements should not disrupt or compromise the safety of devotees, urging that maximum space be provided for the entry and exit of devotees at the Maha Kumbh, TNIE stated.
“All state governments, in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh government, should deploy small medical teams at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, including doctors and nurses, to ensure there is no shortage of medical staff during emergencies,” his PIL stated.
Accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of mismanaging the Maha Kumbh, Tiwari stated that such incidents keep happening repeatedly, with no lessons learned from previous events.
He alleged that whenever such incidents occur, it is the common and poor people who bear the brunt. He further pointed out that separate arrangements are made for VIPs attending events, and even general traffic is halted to accommodate the movement of officials, politicians, or VIPs.
The PIL also sought the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report on the stampede that occurred on January 29 and called for legal action against those responsible for negligence, including authorities and officials.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
