Kharge’s remarks on Kumbh stampede deaths lead to uproar in Parliament

Congress president Kharge pays tribute to Kumbh stampede victims, demands accurate death toll figures, triggering uproar in Parliament.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (February 3, 2025) paid tributes to “thousands” who died in the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede, triggering an uproar from the treasury benches even as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked him to retract the statement.

Mr. Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, was quick to add that “this is my estimate (and) if this is not right you (the government) should tell what is the truth”. He said he was ready to be corrected.

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“I did not say ‘thousands’ to blame anyone. But how many people died, give that information at least. I will apologise if I am wrong. They should give figures how many died, how many are missing,” he said.

There was a stampede during the ‘Amrit Snan’ on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29. According to the figures provided by the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 people were killed and 60 others were injured.

However, while participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Rajya Sabha, Mr. Kharge used the phrase “the thousands who died in Kumbh” to pay tributes to the deceased.

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