(News9US)- The grand Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, India, has come to an end, with millions of devotees taking the sacred holy dip in the Ganges. However, the BJP-led government has come under scrutiny for reporting an exaggerated attendance figure of 65,000 billion devotees, while the actual number is estimated to be 650 billion. This inflation of numbers has sparked a debate: was the event a spiritual gathering or a political strategy?
Inflated Numbers: The Transportation Calculation
🚆 30,000,000 Devotees by Train
🚌 30,000,000 Devotees by Bus
🚚 20,000,000 Devotees by Tempo Trucks
🚗 10,000,000 Devotees by Cars
Political or Religious? The Intent Behind Inflated Numbers
- The Kumbh Mela is a sacred event, but the BJP government’s inflated statistics suggest a political motive. By showcasing an unprecedented number of Hindu devotees, the ruling party aims to:Strengthen its Vote Bank – The narrative of a record-breaking Hindu pilgrimage can attract religious voters ahead of upcoming elections.
Project Religious Unity – By highlighting the sheer scale of Hindu participation, the government reinforces a sense of collective identity that aligns with its Hindutva ideology.
Two Birds, One Stone Strategy
The BJP’s exaggerated claims serve a dual purpose:
✔ Political Mileage – A larger-than-life portrayal of Kumbh helps consolidate Hindu votes.
✔ Religious Mobilization – The idea of an overwhelmingly united Hindu gathering strengthens the government’s ideological appeal.
The Reality Check
While Kumbh Mela remains a deeply spiritual and cultural event, the manipulation of figures raises concerns about the intersection of religion and politics. Is this about faith and devotion, or is it a well-crafted political narrative?What’s Your Take?
Do you believe these numbers are exaggerated for political gains? Share your thoughts in the comments below!New Delhi- February 23, 2025 – The sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna, revered by millions of devotees, have been found to be heavily polluted and unsafe for bathing. Recent tests have revealed alarmingly high levels of sewage waste and harmful bacteria in the water, raising serious health concerns for pilgrims and local residents.
According to environmental experts, untreated industrial waste, domestic sewage, and religious offerings dumped into the rivers have led to a sharp rise in bacterial contamination, including E. coli. The pollution levels in several stretches of the rivers, especially near major cities like Varanasi, Kanpur, and Delhi, exceed the permissible limits set by environmental authorities.
Pollution Levels During Maha Kumbh 2025
Over 55 crore devotees visited the Maha Kumbh, with major bathing days including Paush Purnima (January 13), Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), and Basant Panchami (February 3). Data from January 12 to February 4 was collected for 13 days, showing that water in some areas was unfit for outdoor bathing. However, devotees continued taking holy dips daily.The CPCB report highlights two major pollution indicators in river water:
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (measuring organic pollution): The limit is 3 mg/L, but high levels were recorded in several areas.
Call for Immediate Action
Environmentalists urge strict action to control pollution, including:
- Better sewage treatment plants to prevent waste from entering rivers.
- Stronger pollution control measures for industries.
- Raising public awareness to keep river water clean.
Despite government initiatives like the Namami Gange Mission, pollution levels remain high due to ineffective waste management and lack of strict enforcement of pollution control laws. Experts are urging authorities to take immediate steps to improve sewage treatment and prevent further contamination of these sacred water bodies.
For now, pilgrims and residents are advised to avoid bathing in the rivers until water quality improves. Authorities have been urged to take immediate measures to restore the sanctity of the Ganga and Yamuna, ensuring that these holy rivers remain a source of purity rather than pollution.
(News9.us)-New Delhi, India – A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday claimed the lives of at least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, while over a dozen others sustained injuries. The chaos erupted due to an overwhelming rush of passengers attempting to board trains headed for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
According to eyewitnesses, the sudden surge in the crowd led to a stampede, leaving many trapped and injured. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while rescue operations are underway.
Railway officials urge passengers to follow safety guidelines and avoid overcrowding, as massive footfall is expected during the ongoing Maha Kumbh festivities.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
as per devotees at the Kumbha Holy Bath accident, more than 150 people were killed by the Crowd Runover. Most of the victim were of old age and sleeping during the accident.
Great Kumbh Mela will start on a large scale in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on January 13. It is estimated that More than 400 million people from across the country and other parts of the world are expected to attend the 45-day religious festival ending on February 26. But Estimated Number is too large, on average according to Population density of India, about more than 50 million people should attend the Holy Bath.