Kumbh stampede: Multiple deaths, massive traffic jams, swelling crowd, but does faith trump ‘chaos’?

Weeks after the Kumbh stampede, much has been reported on ‘mismanagement’ by the Uttar Pradesh administration. What exactly went wrong?

Through conversations with officials, attendees and eyewitnesses, journalist Akanksha Kumar identified 10 lapses on the day of the stampede that clearly indicate how pilgrim safety was overlooked. She also found five locations on the other side of the Sangam Nose where stampedes took place.

But does faith ignore the facts?

Prior to the stampede, devotees said they were completely happy with arrangements, especially attendees who benefited from government schemes in Bihar or who were visiting from BJP-led states like Haryana and Rajasthan.

So, what role did the administration play in the tragedy of January 29? Did it make a difference to people’s support of Yogi Adityanath? And does devotion really matter to people over life and death?

Watch. 

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