By Om Prakash Dwivedi
In politics, timing is everything. At a time when the sacred city of Prayagraj is hosting the world’s largest congregation of pilgrims—the Maha Kumbh Mela, a rare event occurring after 144 years—it is deeply distressing to witness the chaos that has engulfed it.
On 29 January 2025, the religious grounds of the Kumbh Mela were soaked in blood and echoed with the cries of innocent devotees. Those who had gathered in Prayagraj for spiritual reflection found themselves caught in what appears to be a sinister conspiracy. To dismiss this tragic stampede as merely a crime against religion would be naive; the loss of lives and injuries must be recognised as a crime against humanity. While the exact death toll remains uncertain, what is undeniable is the ruthlessness of those who orchestrated this calamity.
The Opposition claims that “30 people died and 60 were injured in the early hours of January 29.” However, what demands urgent investigation is not just the government’s response but the calculated cruelty of those who planned this tragedy. To attribute the disaster solely to administrative failure would be simplistic. An event of such scale is meticulously planned, with extensive security measures in place. The accusations, therefore, seem not only exaggerated but also politically motivated. How else does one explain a deadly stampede on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya? Meanwhile, political leaders shed crocodile tears, exploiting the tragedy to score points, even those who have historically distanced themselves from religious events now posing as defenders of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
The inability to protect and rescue civilians in distress highlights the grim reality of political opportunism. This tragedy raises a fundamental question: how could such a catastrophic stampede occur despite stringent security and surveillance? In India’s political landscape, human lives often become expendable, sacrificed at the altar of power struggles. Calls for humanity and justice seem to emerge only during elections or after such crises, exposing the deep fractures in our nation-building efforts. The dignity of citizenship and the duty of care towards fellow beings have become illusions. The spectre of colonial-era divisions still looms over our political consciousness, reflecting how deeply historical subjugation has eroded our collective civility and nationalism. It wouldn’t be surprising if, in time, we discover that this tragedy was orchestrated to serve political interests—history certainly gives us reason to be suspicious.
It is a disgrace that a grand spiritual gathering has been turned into a grim spectacle of death and deceit, inevitably entangled with political machinations. Reducing human lives to mere pawns in ideological battles remains the modus operandi of power-hungry demagogues. Only time will reveal the true masterminds behind this tragedy. Until then, let us hope that these opportunists do not exploit the tragedy further.
Contributing Author: Dr Om Prakash Dwivedi is a literary critic and columnist.
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