Kumbh Mela stampede: BBC Hindi investigation reveals 82 deaths, contrasting with government's claim
New Delhi: A recent in-depth investigation by BBC Hindi has revealed a significantly higher death toll in the stampedes that occurred during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 29th, 2025, compared to the figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government. While the government stated that 37 people died in four stampede incidents on the day of Mauni Amavasya, the BBC's investigation has confirmed at least 82 deaths.
According to the BBC Hindi report published on June 10th, 2025, their reporters reached out to over 100 families across 11 states and more than 50 districts. These families claimed that their loved ones died in the Kumbh stampedes. The BBC stated that they have concrete evidence of at least 82 deaths, and this number only includes cases where families could provide substantial proof.
The Uttar Pradesh government, as mentioned in the report, had announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of the deceased. Chief Minister Adityanath stated in the assembly on February 19th that 66 devotees were affected near Sangam Nose between 1:10 AM and 1:30 AM, with 30 deaths confirmed. He also mentioned another 7 deaths in other locations, bringing the official toll to 37.
However, the BBC's investigation uncovered that while 36 families received ₹25 lakh in compensation through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) or cheques, an additional 26 families were given ₹5 lakh each in cash by the Uttar Pradesh government. These 26 families were allegedly not included in the official death count. The BBC claims to possess videos and photos showing police teams handing over bundles of ₹500 notes to these families.
Several families reported being pressured to sign documents stating that the deaths occurred due to sudden illness, not stampedes. The source of the ₹1.30 crore distributed in cash remains unclear, but the families confirmed the involvement of the Uttar Pradesh Police in all these cases. Furthermore, the BBC's investigation identified another 19 families who claimed their relatives died in the stampedes but did not receive any financial assistance from the government. These families presented evidence such as post-mortem reports, hospital morgue slips, and death certificates to support their claims. Some even showed photos and videos taken at the stampede sites on January 29th, showing the bodies of their relatives.
The BBC categorized the 82 confirmed deaths into three groups: those whose families received ₹25 lakh compensation, those who received ₹5 lakh in cash, and those who received no financial assistance.
The report detailed several harrowing stories. For instance, Nankan from Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh died in the stampede at Sangam Nose. His brother, Masru, recounted the chaotic scene where people became frantic after an announcement of "Amrit Baras Raha Hai" (nectar is showering) and a massive crowd surged forward, leading to Nankan being trampled. His family received ₹25 lakh compensation.
Similarly, Kanchan from Belagavi, Karnataka, lost her husband, Arun Narayan Koparde, in the Sangam Nose stampede. She described the horrific scene where people were stepping over others. The bodies of Arun and three other victims from Karnataka were eventually sent back home with a compensation of ₹25 lakh each.
The BBC also found that one of the deceased, KN Vasudevacharya, the younger brother of former BJP General Secretary KN Govindacharya, was initially identified as having no heir. However, the BBC's investigation revealed his identity, and despite this, no compensation was given in his case. The report also highlighted that the stampedes were not limited to Sangam Nose.
The BBC found evidence of a significant stampede near the Mukti Marg Chauraha at Kalpavriksh Dwar around 8 AM, where five more people died. These included Panne Lal Sahni and Nagina Devi from Gorakhpur, Meena Pandey from Sultanpur, Krishna Devi from Jind (Haryana), and Sonam Kumari from Aurangabad (Bihar). Only three of these families received ₹5 lakh in cash, while the families of Meena Pandey and Krishna Devi received no compensation.
Eyewitness accounts, like that of Archana Singh, who was with Meena Pandey, painted a grim picture of bodies lying at the stampede site for hours without any immediate help from authorities. Kusum Devi, the wife of Panne Lal Sahni, also described the chaotic scene and the lack of assistance, stating that they sat with the bodies of her husband and Nagina Devi in the sun until 4 PM.
The BBC Hindi investigation raises serious questions about the accuracy of the official death toll and the transparency of the compensation process following the Kumbh Mela stampedes. Despite the heavy security arrangements claimed by the government, including CCTV cameras, thousands of personnel, and ambulances, the report suggests a significant underreporting of fatalities and inconsistencies in the distribution of aid to the victims' families.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
