Raut claims 2,000 deaths in Kumbh stampede; sparks row in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday triggered an uproar in the Rajya Sabha by claiming that "2,000 people died" in the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede, prompting Deputy Chairman Harivansh to ask him to authenticate the figure.
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Raut questioned the official death toll of 30 in the stampede.
"When the stampede happened 4-5 days back, it was told (that) it was not stampede but a rumour...30 people died. Whether the figure is true? Don't hide it... We are responsible even if one person died...The figures that we have seen with our eyes is 2,000 people were dead," he said.
The Shiv Sena leader blamed "poor management" for the tragedy, terming the Kumbh a "political event for political marketing".
He said that in other countries, such an incident would have led to demands for the resignation of the prime minister and chief minister.
As treasury bench members protested, the Deputy Chairman told Raut, "If you mention any figure, you have to substantiate".
The MP agreed to authenticate the figure by evening.
Raut's remarks came a day after Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge referred to "thousands" of deaths in the stampede, leading to protests in the Upper House. The chairman had asked Kharge to retract his statement.
During his speech, Raut also alleged that "all pillars of democracy have been destroyed", and the government was preoccupied with elections.
"Unless from the Prime Minister to central ministries do not come out of the whirlpool of elections, the country will not progress," he noted.
BJP member Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde hit back at the Opposition, questioning why similar concerns were not raised about casualties in Ajmer.
The debate also saw Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam raising development issues in Chhattisgarh, while TMC's Prakash Chik Baraik sought recognition of 'sarna dharma code' for tribals in the census.
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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.
