Yogi Adityanath Accuses Opposition of Spreading Misinformation About Maha Kumbh

Lucknow, February 19: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has strongly criticized Opposition leaders for their remarks on the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, accusing them of attempting to "malign" the world’s largest religious congregation through misinformation.

Addressing the Uttar Pradesh Assembly during his reply to the Governor’s address, Adityanath dismissed allegations surrounding the event and reaffirmed that the Maha Kumbh is not a state-organized festival but a cultural and spiritual gathering deeply rooted in societal traditions.

"There is a concerted effort to tarnish the sanctity of the Maha Kumbh. This event is not organized by the government but by society itself. Despite the misinformation being spread, the Maha Kumbh is being successfully conducted," he stated.

The Chief Minister also countered claims regarding the quality of water at the Triveni Sangam, emphasizing that over 55.56 crore devotees, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have taken a holy dip without any concerns.

Opposition’s Criticism and Yogi’s Response

Yogi Adityanath specifically called out West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav for their statements on the Maha Kumbh.

Banerjee had alleged that the event had turned into “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Kumbh), a claim backed by Akhilesh Yadav. Lalu Yadav, on the other hand, dismissed the festival as “meaningless”, while Akhilesh Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government of labeling it "Maha Kumbh” only to "waste public money."

Adityanath condemned these remarks as an attack on Sanatan Dharma, pointing out the contradiction in Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism, given that the SP chief himself took a dip in the Triveni Sangam during the festival.

"Lalu Prasad Yadav called this a ‘useless’ Kumbh, directly targeting Sanatan Dharma. The same leaders who oppose Maha Kumbh are secretly taking dips in its sacred waters. The Samajwadi Party has been using derogatory language against this religious event from the very beginning," he remarked.

Water Contamination Allegations Rejected

The Chief Minister also addressed Opposition claims that the water at Maha Kumbh had been contaminated. Refuting these allegations, he assured devotees that rigorous monitoring by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board ensured the water remained clean and suitable for ritual bathing.

"False narratives are being pushed that the water quality is deteriorating. In reality, the water is absolutely fine for devotees. Prominent leaders from India and around the world have participated in the holy dip. This is about devotion (santushtikaran), not appeasement (tushtikaran)," he stated.

Adityanath also dismissed a controversial claim made by Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, who alleged that bodies from a stampede had been dumped into the river, contaminating the water.

"This kind of misinformation not only misleads the public but also disrespects the spiritual significance of Maha Kumbh," he asserted.

Conclusion

Reiterating the success of the Maha Kumbh despite opposition attempts to discredit it, the Chief Minister underscored that the festival was a symbol of faith for millions and warned against using religious sentiments for political gains.

"If such misinformation continues, it raises serious concerns about the intent of the Opposition. If they can question the sanctity of Maha Kumbh, what message does it send to the common people of our state?" he concluded.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, continues to witness unprecedented participation, reaffirming its status as one of the most significant religious and cultural gatherings in the world.