Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has expressed his anger over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remark that the Maha Kumbh has become a bit of a `Mruthyu Kumbh Mela’. He attended the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj with his family members on Tuesday and termed her statement as inappropriate.
“It is very easy for people to make comments on Sanatana Dharma- Hinduism. This is the problem of our political leaders. They do not criticize other religions as easily as they criticize Hinduism. With such leaders, it becomes difficult. They do not realize that their words hurt the sentiments of crores of people,” Pawan Kalyan said.
Expressing concern over certain tragic incidents at the Kumbh Mela, Pawan Kalyan said, “If some incidents happen during the Kumbh Mela, it cannot be considered a failure of the government management. Organizing an event attended by lakhs of devotees is a big challenge for any government. Nobody wants unfortunate incidents to happen,” he added.
“As far as I know, the Yogi Adityanath-led government is organising the Kumbh Mela wonderfully. Some incidents are unfortunate, but making such comments is not justified,” Pawan clarified. Pawan suggested that experienced politicians should refrain from making such comments.
“I request senior politicians not to make such statements. My opinion is that such comments are inappropriate,” he said, taking issue with Mamata Banerjee’s comments.
Earlier in the day, speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, Mamata Banerjee had said that 30 people died and 60 were injured in a stampede in Prayagraj last month, and 18 people died recently due to a stampede at the New Delhi railway station.
“The Maha Kumbh has become a Kumbh Mela of death. They (the BJP government) have hidden hundreds of bodies to reduce the death toll,” she alleged. Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan performed the holy bath at Triveni Sangam along with his wife Anna Lezhneva and son Akira Nandan.
On this occasion, the local police had arranged heavy security for Pawan and his family members. In the wake of the stampede and undesirable incidents at the Kumbh Mela, Pawan was provided with protection until the holy bath was completed.
