Mamata’s ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ Remark Sparks Row: BJP Hits Back

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Mamata Banerjee labeled the Maha Kumbh Mela as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’, sparking controversy.
• The BJP accused Mamata of harboring hostility towards Hindus.
• Mamata criticized UP CM Yogi Adityanath for alleged mismanagement at Kumbh.
• The BJP condemned Mamata’s remarks as an attack on Hindu traditions.
• Several people died in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

A political showdown has erupted following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s controversial statement regarding the Maha Kumbh Mela. Banerjee referred to the event as ‘Mrityu Kumbh (Kumbh of Death)’ in response to the stampede incidents. This led to a swift backlash from the BJP, who accused her of being anti-Hindu.

Mamata’s Attack on Yogi Adityanath

Mamata Banerjee directly targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. She criticized the Yogi government for alleged mismanagement of crowds and the stampede deaths at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Banerjee claimed that while VIPs received special treatment, the poor were denied basic facilities. This “Mrityu Kumbh” lacked arrangements for the underprivileged, she stated.

BJP Retaliates

The BJP strongly condemned Mamata Banerjee’s remarks, describing them as an outright attack on Hindus. BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Banerjee of practicing appeasement politics, favoring one community while displaying hostility towards another. He asserted that Banerjee’s statement exposed her hypocrisy.

Mamata’s Speech in the Assembly

Addressing the Budget Session of the Assembly, Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP government. She accused the BJP of “selling religion to divide the nation”. She alleged that there was a lack of proper planning for the Maha Kumbh Mela. She questioned the number of commissions sent to Kumbh after the incident.

Bodies Without Death Certificates

Banerjee also alleged that bodies were sent to Bengal from Kumbh without post-mortem examinations. She claimed the government would attribute the deaths to heart attacks and deny compensation. Her government conducted post-mortems because the bodies arrived without death certificates. She questioned how these individuals would receive compensation without proper documentation.

Suvendu Adhikari’s Protest

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, described Mamata Banerjee’s statement as an attack on Hindus. He urged people to register a strong protest against it. He appealed to true Hindus to rise above politics and strongly oppose Mamata Banerjee’s words.

Amit Malviya’s Allegation

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, also criticized Mamata Banerjee. He accused her of never missing an opportunity to appease her vote bank, while showing hostility towards Hindu festivals and traditions. He claimed that this was not an isolated incident and that Mamata Banerjee’s government had systematically undermined Hindu traditions.

Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela

On January 29, a stampede occurred at the Maha Kumbh Mela, at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, due to a massive crowd. At least 30 people died. Some reports also claimed a second stampede, though there has been no official confirmation.

Incident at New Delhi Railway Station

In a separate incident, at least 18 people were crushed to death at New Delhi Railway Station while rushing to board a train for the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Mamata Banerjee referred to the Maha Kumbh Mela as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’.
• The BJP accused Mamata of anti-Hindu hostility.
• Mamata criticized UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s Kumbh management.
• Many lives were lost in the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede.
• The BJP labeled Mamata’s statement as an attack on Hindus.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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