Shankaracharya criticizes mismanagement at Kumbh Mela, backs Mamata’s 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark
Prayagraj: Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj has criticized the handling of the Kumbh Mela, citing severe mismanagement and inadequate planning. His remarks come in response to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s controversial ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ statement, which described the event as poorly managed and hazardous.
Addressing the issues, Shankaracharya pointed out that a massive 300-kilometre-long traffic jam left devotees stranded, forcing many to walk 25-30 km with their belongings. "If this is not mismanagement, then what is?" he questioned.
He also raised concerns about the quality of water provided for the ritual bath, alleging that it was contaminated with sewage. "Scientists do not consider this water fit for bathing, yet crores of people were forced to bathe in it," he said. He argued that authorities had 12 years to prepare for the event and should have either diverted sewage drains or taken measures to ensure clean water for devotees.
Shankaracharya further accused the administration of failing to implement proper crowd management and hospitality measures, which he believes led to chaos and even loss of lives. "When so many people were expected and space was limited, a plan should have been made. Instead, false propaganda was spread, and even the claim of a 144-year cycle was a lie," he said.
He also alleged that deaths during the event were hidden from the public, calling it a "grave crime." In such circumstances, he said, criticisms of the event are justified. "If someone calls it names, then we won't be able to oppose it," he remarked, indirectly backing Mamata Banerjee’s statement.
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Four booked for tying 18-year-old to tree, beating him up in UP's Pratapgarh
Pratapgarh (UP) (PTI): Four people were booked here for the abduction and assault of a man who they allegedly tied to a tree and beat up, police said on Wednesday.
The incident, a video of which has gone viral, took place on Tuesday afternoon under the Kunda police station limits.
The FIR was registered on Wednesday evening based on a complaint from the victim's father.
According to Keshav Prasad Yadav, a resident of Mauli village, some people called his 18-year-old son Nikhil Yadav on the phone and asked him to come out of his house around 2.30 pm on Tuesday.
As he reached outside the village as instructed, the accused allegedly forced him into a car and took him towards the Tinpedwa forest area, where they tied him to a tree and assaulted, the complainant said.
The attackers also recorded a video of the incident and circulated it on social media. The purported video shows the men thrashing Nikhil one after another, while one of them is assumed to have recorded the act.
Kunda Station House Officer Manoj Pandey confirmed the incident and said efforts are underway to identify and arrest all the accused.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has shared the video on social media, describing the incident as reflective of a "dominant mindset" against the PDA (Pichda or Backward, Dalit, and Alpasankhyak or Minority), and demanded strict action against the accused.
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