Muslims open mosques to help Maha Kumbh stampede victims
Provide shelter, food, blankets to 25,000 pilgrims
Prayagraj: As pilgrims started gathering for the Mouni Amavasya Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh on the night of 28 January, heavy barricading near the Sangam Nose caused congestion. The influx of people continued, eventually leading to a half-kilometre-long blockage.
Amid this, rumours spread that Naga Sadhus were arriving for their holy dip, triggering panic among the crowd. The barricades were broken, and people rushed forward, trampling those who fell.
The stampede claimed 35 to 40 lives and left 60 others injured. The aftermath was horrifying, some searched desperately for their loved ones, while others clung to the hands of deceased relatives, fearing their bodies might be lost in the chaos. Hospital was overwhelmed with bloodied bodies and injured victims.
With arrangements collapsing and authorities halting entry into the area, thousands of pilgrims were stranded wherever they had reached. On 29 January, Muslims in over 10 areas of Prayagraj extended help, opening mosques, shrines, dargahs, imambaras, and their homes to accommodate 25,000 to 26,000 pilgrims. They provided food, warm bedding, and medical assistance to those in need.
Dainik Bhaskar reports on communal harmony amidst tragedy
According to Dainik Bhaskar, the stampede left thousands stranded as highways were jammed, halting buses and forcing many to spend the night on the streets. The following night, on 29 January, residents of Khuldabad, Nakhhas Kohna, Roshan Bagh, Himmatganj, Rani Mandi, and Shahganj welcomed pilgrims into their homes.
Mosques like Khuldabad Sabzi Mandi Mosque, Bada Tazia Imambara, Himmatganj Dargah, and Chowk Mosque turned into temporary shelters. Community members distributed tea, snacks, and meals. Localities organised mass food distribution (bhandaras), serving halwa-puri and other essentials to the stranded devotees.
"They were our guests, we took care of them"
Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Mohammad Irshad of Bahadurganj (Daira) said, "After the stampede, we saw thousands struggling in the freezing night. We immediately opened mosques and dargahs, welcoming as many people as possible into our homes. We ensured they had food and a place to stay. They were our guests in Prayagraj, and we did our best to look after them."
Masood Ahmed, a teacher from Chowk area, emphasised the spirit of humanity, stating, "Hindus were performing their religious rituals, and Muslims were fulfilling their duty of humanitarian service. It was our responsibility to ensure no one suffered due to lack of food or shelter. We helped elderly pilgrims reach the station safely. We only wanted those who came here to leave with a message of humanity."
"The Kumbh Mela itself came to Muslim neighbourhoods"
According to Afsar Mahmood of Khuldabad, "Despite earlier announcements that Muslims would not be allowed at the Kumbh, fate brought the event to our neighbourhoods. It was only natural for us to help."
Mohinuddin from Chowk shared a similar sentiment, saying, "We just didn’t want anyone to spend the night under the open sky. So, we opened our doors."
“Food and warmth were arranged overnight"
Mohammad Azam from Civil Lines recounted how residents quickly arranged blankets and quilts for those suffering in the cold.
"We did whatever we could to ensure people didn’t struggle through the night. Food was arranged immediately."
This display of communal harmony and humanitarianism during a time of distress is being widely appreciated. Dainik Bhaskar’s coverage highlights how the people of Prayagraj set an example of unity, proving that humanity transcends all divisions.
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#महाकुंभ2025 में कुंभ के दौरान अव्यवस्था और भारी भीड़ के कारण श्रद्धालुओं को मस्जिद में शरण लेनी पड़ी। वहाँ इमाम साहब और स्थानीय लोगों ने गंगा-जमुनी तहज़ीब और भाईचारे की अनूठी मिसाल पेश करते हुए भोजन और ठहरने की व्यवस्था कराई।
— Subham Agrawal (@iSubhamAgrawal) January 30, 2025
इमाम साहब के इस सेवा भाव को दिल से नमन#MahaKumbh pic.twitter.com/XquiCWZGbK
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Rape convict Gurmeet Singh granted 21-day furlough by Haryana Government
Chandigarh: Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Singh was released on Wednesday morning after the Haryana Government granted him a 21-day furlough. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence for raping two of his disciples and is lodged at Sunaria Jail in Rohtak.
This is reportedly the 13th time since October 2020 that Gurmeet Singh has been granted parole or furlough. According to The Times of India, he has been out of jail for a total of 142 days since January 20 last year under the BJP-led government in Haryana.
Earlier this year, just ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections, the Dera chief was granted a 30-day parole. In February, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) challenging his repeated temporary releases. The apex court bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra, disposed of the petition noting objections regarding its maintainability.
Gurmeet Singh, whose Dera has a significant following in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and other states, continues to face trial in sacrilege cases pending before a Chandigarh court. In Haryana, districts like Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Hisar are known to have a large number of Dera followers.
