Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly defended the Maha Kumbh during a discussion in the state assembly, emphasizing that the sacred event is beyond politics and represents the collective faith of millions. Addressing concerns raised by opposition leaders, he underscored that any attempt to malign the spiritual significance of the festival through baseless allegations or misleading videos is an attack on the faith of over 56.25 crore devotees who have participated in the religious gathering.
"While we are participating in this discussion here, more than 56.25 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip in Prayagraj. When false allegations are made, fake videos are circulated against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, India, or the Maha Kumbh, it is akin to playing with the faith of these 56 crore people," CM Yogi said.
The Chief Minister asserted that the Maha Kumbh is not organized by any political party but is a sacred event that belongs to society at large. He emphasized that the government's role is only to facilitate the smooth execution of the grand spiritual event, ensuring safety, infrastructure, and essential services for the devotees.
#WATCH | Lucknow: In the UP assembly, CM Yogi Adityanath says, "While we are participating in the discussion here, at that time more than 56.25 crore devotees have already taken their holy dip in Prayagraj... When we make any baseless allegations or snow fake videos against… pic.twitter.com/VYNnzPn4w1
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025
"This event is not organized by any particular party or organization. It belongs to society. The government acts as a humble servant to fulfill its responsibilities. It is our good fortune that our government got the opportunity to be associated with the Maha Kumbh of this century," he added.
CM Yogi also highlighted the global participation in Maha Kumbh 2025, crediting its success to the unwavering devotion of pilgrims. He dismissed false narratives attempting to tarnish the event, stating that despite such campaigns, the religious congregation has reached new heights of success.
With just seven days remaining for the completion of the Maha Kumbh, the Chief Minister revealed that over 56 crore devotees had already taken a holy dip in the Ganges as of Tuesday afternoon.
Acknowledging the tragic incidents that occurred during the event, CM Yogi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a stampede on January 29 and road accidents during their pilgrimage.
"Our sympathies are with all those who were victims of the stampede and road accidents while traveling for the Kumbh. Our condolences are with their families. The government stands with them and will extend all possible help. But how appropriate is it to politicize such incidents?" he questioned.
The Maha Kumbh, regarded as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, holds immense significance in Hindu tradition. The UP government has made extensive arrangements to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims, ensuring their safety, sanitation, and overall convenience.
With the final week of the Maha Kumbh underway, the state government continues to emphasize its commitment to preserving the sanctity of the event while managing its scale and challenges efficiently.
