Yogi Hits Back At Mamata's 'Mrityu Kumbh' Jibe: 'Couldn't Control Disturbances During Holi'
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath criticised Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee for her remarks calling the Maha Kumbh a "Mrityu Kumbh," highlighting the disturbances seen in West Bengal during Holi.
Gorakhpur (UP), Mar 16 (PTI) Hitting out at his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee over her remarks criticising Maha Kumbh arrangements, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Sunday those who had termed the Prayagraj religious gathering a 'Mrityu Kumbh' "were unable to control disturbances during Holi".
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected office-bearers of the Gorakhpur Journalists Press Club here, he said that "for the first time, people came to the Maha Kumbh from Tamil Nadu".
"People (devotees) also came from Kerala. The population of Uttar Pradesh is 25 crores, and the Holi concluded peacefully. But, in West Bengal, a number of disturbances took place during Holi," he said.
On the day of Holi on March 14, a 20-year-old youth was killed in a scuffle during celebrations in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.
Akash Choudhury, alias Amar, was accosted by three to four youths while celebrating Holi with his friends near his residence in Titagarh. As an argument broke out, he was repeatedly stabbed in his neck and other parts of his body by the assailants, the officer added.
Adityanath took a dig at Banerjee over such incidents in her state on the festival.
"People who were unable to control the disturbances ('upadrav') during Holi, had said that the Maha Kumbh of Prayagraj was a 'Mrityu Kumbh'. But, we said that this is not 'Mrityu' (death), it is 'Mrityunjay' (victory over death) It is a Maha Kumbh," he said.
Adityanath said that everyday of the 45-day event witnessed 50,000 to 1 lakh people from West Bengal taking part.
Days after the January 29 stampede at the Sangam Nose, where the official toll was 30, Banerjee had said the Maha Kumbh has turned into a "Mrityu Kumbh" due to such incidents, claiming the actual toll was suppressed by authorities.
"They have hidden hundreds of bodies to bring down the toll. The Maha Kumbh has turned into a 'Mrityu Kumbh' under the BJP rule," Banerjee said during an address in the West Bengali assembly on February 18.
Back in Gorakhpur, Adityanath also said his government sent ministers to some states to invite governors and chief ministers to the Maha Kumbh, and if possible also hold a press conference on the event.
He also thanked the media for helping the Maha Kumbh transform into the biggest event of the world through their positive writings. He said the Kumbh became a base to connect society with the idea of Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat.
"For the first time, it was seen that culture can fuel prosperity, faith can become a medium of livelihood." He told the journalists, "Whatever support you require to take the positive role of the media forward, the government will stand with you." Adityanath said several freedom fighters played their roles as journalists and gave momentum to the freedom movement through their work.
These include Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi and others who gave a new direction to society with the their writings, he said.
Adityanath also said that "when the country's democracy was being strangled, news groups put all their strength to save democracy through their writings".
He underlined the ever-evolving role of the media in the changing world.
"Today, technology is changing rapidly... the young generation is using social media platforms because they have less time. In such a situation, the responsibility of media institutions has increased even more to convey positive things because some people are spreading negativity by misusing social media platforms.
"In such a situation, the media world will have to move forward with the same role for which it is known. This will be a big task not only for democracy but also for the security and sovereignty of the country," he said.
Adityanath emphasised the media has long been recognised as the fourth pillar of democracy, playing a crucial role as a vigilant watchdog.
"By highlighting pressing issues and holding the other three pillars accountable, the media ensures that matters of public concern that get overlooked are brought to the forefront with accurate facts," he said.
During the programme, Gorakhpur Mayor Dr Manglesh Shrivastava administered the oath to the newly elected office bearers.
Adityanath handed over the election certificates to the newly elected office-bearers of the Press Club and congratulated them, the UP government said in a statement.
(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)
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