Prayagraj Cop Suspended After Video Of Him Dumping Soil In Maha Kumbh 'Bhandara' Food Goes Viral

A police officer in Prayagraj was suspended after a video surfaced showing him allegedly dumping soil into food served to Maha Kumbh devotees.

A police officer was allegedly seen dumping soil into Maha Kumbh 'bhandara' food in Prayagraj.

Source : X/@yadavakhilesh

A police officer has been suspended in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj after a video of him allegedly dumping soil into the food served at a Bhdanara for Maha Kumbh devotees went viral on social media. 

Action was taken against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Soraon, Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, on Thursday, after the video surfaced on social media, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar), Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, reported PTI. 

In the footage, which was also shared by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, a police officer is seen tossing ash with a shovel to the food being prepared over a stove. 

ये दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है कि जो लोग महाकुंभ में फँसे लोगों के लिए भोजन-पानी की व्यवस्था कर रहे है उनके सद्प्रयासों के ऊपर राजनीतिक विद्वेषवश मिट्टी डाल दी जा रही है।

जनता संज्ञान ले! pic.twitter.com/LTwwKbBwO5

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 30, 2025

Sharing the video on X, a social media user tagged the DCP Ganga Nagar's account and demanded strict action against the officer for his "shameful act." The official DCP Ganga Nagar account responded to the post saying it took cognisance of the matter. 

"The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) has suspended the Soraon SHO based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway," said the DCP Ganga Nagar's official account in its response. 

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav condemned the police officer's act saying: "It is unfortunate that the good efforts of those who are making arrangements to provide food and water to those stranded at the Maha Kumbh are being scuttled due to political animosity. The public should take notice!"

As millions of pilgrims flock to Prayagraj to participate in the ongoing Maha Kumbh festival, a number of individuals, groups, and organisations have set up community kitchens to offer free or affordable meals to the visiting devotees.