Prayagraj stampede: Administrative negligence or frenzy of devotees?
Prayagraj stampede: Administrative negligence or frenzy of devotees?
One must consider the limitations of a legendary city that is tasked with ensuring the safety of 80 million people while maintaining its religious heritage. How can a hundred people live in a space designed for ten? This is an important issue to consider. Moreover, the nexus between VVIP culture and the government's pursuit of profits, which involves leasing out every available piece of land for revenue and involving middlemen, further complicates the matter. This is a matter of religious devotion, not competition or frenzy.
■ Priyanka Saurabh
It is unfortunate to hear about the stampede in Prayagraj, which resulted in the loss of many lives. The incident will undoubtedly give rise to widespread discussions on various media platforms. The opposition will criticize, while the government will attempt to justify its actions, but those who have died cannot be brought back. This is not the first time this has happened. During the Kumbh Mela of the year 2013, the bath of Mauni Amavasya was on the banks of Sangam in Prayagraj on Sunday, 10 February. 35 people died due to crushing and falling. While dozens of people were injured. They were treated in the hospital for several days. In 1954, Nehru ji took a bath in Sangam on the day of Mauni Amavasya, which was the main attraction of this fair.
A tragic accident also occurred during this Kumbh Mela. During the bath of Mauni Amavasya, an elephant went out of control, and a stampede occurred. About 500 people died in this accident. After the stampede, loudspeakers were used to control the crowd and give information. Apart from this, more than 1000 street lights were installed to illuminate the fair at night. This incident shook the whole country. After this, the use of elephants in the Kumbh Mela was banned forever. Organize a small program in your house; it takes a lot of effort to conduct it safely, but here the whole world has come in crores of people. One must consider the limitations of a legendary city that is tasked with ensuring the safety of 80 million people while maintaining its religious heritage. How can a hundred people live in a space designed for ten? This is an important issue to consider. Moreover, the nexus between VVIP culture and the government's pursuit of profits, which involves leasing out every available piece of land for revenue and involving middlemen, further complicates the matter.
This is a matter of religious devotion, not competition or frenzy. Some people are calling it the failure of the administration. It is very easy to write and criticize, but where there is a crowd of lakhs and crores of people, a large number of them are elderly. Where a large number of devotees are bathing at the ghats, a large number of devotees are coming out after bathing, and a large number of devotees are going to take a bath at Sangam. There is a possibility of an accident, and unfortunately an accident has happened. Always remember. The administration cannot help everyone to take a bath. An accident can happen anywhere. Neither is the administration at fault, nor can it be called a conspiracy of the opposition. This is just an accident. After the accident, the situation in the entire Sangam area is completely normal, but the media is creating sensation for its TRP. Whereas the media has the responsibility to report on the reason behind the incident (stampede). Apart from this, people have come to Maha Kumbh with the same devotion and faith; they should also have a sense of duty with the same devotion.
They should follow the rules, discipline, and warnings of the government with the same faith. When there is an unexpected crowd in Ayodhya and Kashi, the number of devotees participating in the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj cannot even be estimated. Everyone should not insist on bathing only at Triveni Sangam; bathing ghats have been built and spread over forty kilometers here and there, i.e., eighty kilometers. Please cooperate in the arrangements by bathing there. It seems that the government is focused on showing itself as the best organizer, while some people are more interested in promoting Sanatan through social media, neglecting the sentiments of common devotees. For about 45 days during Brahma Kalpa, Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) takes place daily, yet our religious leaders have not communicated it to the devotees effectively. The real importance of Kumbh bathing has not been explained to the public by these leaders.
If the religious figures who frequently appear on television to discuss Sanatan Dharma had stressed the importance of bathing during each prahar during these 45 days of Kalpavas, the huge crowds could have been spread over different days, potentially preventing such tragedies. Due to excessive publicity, a huge crowd gathered in Maha Kumbh. Apart from this, excessive importance given to VIPs and stopping or sending back the common people on many routes or providing separate routes for VIPs on the path of salvation is also a reason. Only a small mistake is needed for a stampede. Another thing is that influential or rich people usurp the rights of common pilgrims by using their money and push them back. Is this not a sin? Will Gangaji be able to wash away the sins of such sinners? May the departed souls rest in peace.
