PM Modi Likely To Cancel Maha Kumbh Visit On Feb 5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to visit the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 5.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to visit the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 5.

Source : PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on February 5. However, according to sources, his visit is likely to be postponed or canceled.

The development comes after a stampede broke out a the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday pilgrims thronged the ghat to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. The incident took place between 1 AM and 2 AM when some devotees climbed over the barricades at Akhara marg, CM Yogi Adityanath said.

PM Modi on Wednesday offered his deepest condolences to the families who lost their members in the tragic incient at the Maha Kumbh. He described the tragedy as "extremely saddening".

At least 30 devotees were killed and 60 others injured in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh. Out of the deceased, four of them were from Karnataka, one each from Assam and Gujarat, one from Jharkhand, another from Uttarakhand, and two elderly women from West Bengal.

In a post on X, he said the local administration in Prayagraj is giving all possible help to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. "I have been speaking to Chief Minister Yogi ji and am in constant touch with the state government," he said.

The UP CM has announced a judicial probe into the matter and an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased. A Three-member judicial commission, comprising Justice Harsh Kumar, former DG VK Gupta, and retired IAS VK Singh to look into the reasons behind the stampede. 

Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna said the government has issued strict directives there will be no VIP protocol in the mela now onwards.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar will reportedly be joining the festivisties at the Maha Kumbh on February 1. Additionally, President Droupadi Murmu is also planning to visit Prayagraj on February 10 to attend the grand mela.