'Bodies Thrown In Ganga': Jaya Bachchan Stokes Controversy Over Maha Kumbh Stampede

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan alleged that Ganga water is contaminated due to dumping of bodies from the Maha Kumbh stampede.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan sparked a row on Monday as she claimed that the water in river Ganga is highly contaminated as bodies of those killed in the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj have been dumped there. 

As per officials, 30 people died and 60 were injured after a stampede broke out at the Sangam Nose on January 29 ahead of 'Amrit snan' or Mauni Amawasya, one of the auspicious days to take a holy dip. 

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, the SP MP said: "Where is the water most contaminated right now? It is in Kumbh. No one is giving any clarification on that. Bodies (of those who died in the stampede) have been thrown in the river because of which the water has been contaminated... This is the water which is being used by the people there. No one is giving any clarification on this." 

She said that the real issue was that there is no arrangement for the common devotees, but no one is addressing the issue. She asked the Uttar Pradesh government to "at least tell us the truth about what happened at Kumbh. They (government) should speak about it in Parliament." 

She also demanded the state government provide actual figures on the deaths that took place during the stampede. 

On being pointed out by a reporter that the state government has launched a probe, the Rajya Sabha MP said questioned the investigation. "What probe is going on? There are so many probes that take place in the country. Do they never conclude? Whatever is happening in Kumbh now, do we really need a probe? They've picked up the bodies and put them in the water," she said. 

Earlier in the day, Bachchan dismissed the claims of the state government that crores of people participated in the event.  "They are lying that crores of people have visited the place. How can such a huge number of people gather at the place? They are lying." 

Slamming Bachchan, the Bharatiya Janata Party said whatever she said was from a written script. 

However, the SP's narrative will prove to be costly for the party. The manner in which the SP has been hurting the sentiments of the Hindus, they will have to face the repercussions," state BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said.

Maha Kumbh Mela Additional District Magistrate, Vivek Chaturvedi had also earlier said that the river water is absolutely safe to take the holy dip.