Maha Kumbh Stampede: The deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh that left 30 dead while 60 people were hospitalised – “was not a very big incident…it was exaggerated,” said actor and BJP MP Hema Malini on Tuesday. She also took a dip in the holy Sangam River, last week, which she described as a “very nice bath.”
Hema Malini was talking to reporters in Delhi, when she said, “…We went to Kumbh, we had a very nice bath. It is right that an incident took place, but it was not a very big incident. I don’t know how big it was. It is being exaggerated,” reported ANI.
She further went on to praise the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government’s arrangements and preparedness, “It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well…So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage but we are doing our best.”
The actor-turned-politician’s comment comes at a time when the incident triggered heated debates in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday. Opposition leaders accused the government of hiding the death toll and demanded strict action.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav alleged a cover-up of ‘mismanagement” in organizing the fair. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy called it one of the worst tragedies in independent India. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders demanded a list of the deceased.
The ruling BJP dismissed the allegations, calling it a conspiracy. They said those responsible would be exposed once the probe is complete. When asked about the accusations, a government official said, “The Opposition will say whatever they want. It is their job to spread falsehoods.”
Bureau Report
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