Lucknow, (thestates.news) | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday termed the language of opposition leaders regarding Maha Kumbh as a direct attack on Sanatan culture and said that an infected person can be treated but an infected mindset is incurable.
While responding to the opposition’s allegations regarding Maha Kumbh systematically on the second day of the Assembly budget session, the CM said, “The opposition presented many wrong facts about Maha Kumbh and even called it a waste of money. While the RJD chief calls Maha Kumbh a waste, Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav calls it a waste of money,” he said.
He said, “SP leader Jaya Bachchan said that the bodies of the people who died in the stampede on Mauni Amavasya were thrown in Triveni, due to which it has become polluted. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says that thousands of people lost their lives in the stampede. More than this, a leader also says that this is not Maha Kumbh but ‘Mrityu Kumbh’.”
Yogi said that opposing Sanatan culture has become a habit of these leaders. “In fact, an infected person can be treated but treatment of infected thinking is not possible. The opposition is continuously spreading propaganda about the organisation of Maha Kumbh, whereas this event is the pride of Sanatan culture and no laxity will be shown in celebrating it grandly,” he said.
He said, “If anyone feels that this is a crime then my government would like to commit this crime again and again. The government is determined to make Maha Kumbh historic.”
The CM said that the language used by the opposition does not fit any civilized society. “Some opposition leaders question the grandeur of an event like Maha Kumbh and try to spread confusion in the society. The opposition has been opposing Maha Kumbh from the very first day. If they were well-wishers of the public, they would have been present in the House to discuss this event, but they disrupted the House. As soon as Maha Kumbh started, they started spreading rumours,” he alleged.
He said, “Such language does not fit any civilized society. You people may have your own morale, you people may have your own behaviour, but no civilized society and no civilized committee can ever accept it.”
Yogi said that Maha Kumbh is not a new event, but it has been going on since Vedic tradition. “It is also mentioned in Rigveda, Atharvaveda, and Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran. This event is the soul of Indian culture and it is inappropriate to look at it from a narrow political perspective,” he said.
He said that before the Maha Kumbh event, the SP chief said what is the need to spend so much money and so much expansion when we aim to provide the best facilities to the devotees. “So far more than 56 crore devotees have taken a dip of faith in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. We are making it historic and no laxity will be tolerated in this,” he said.
Taking a dig at the opposition, the CM said that those who were initially opposing the Maha Kumbh have also now quietly come to take a bath. He said that in 2013 when the SP was in power, their leaders were stopped from going to Prayagraj, but this time they went there and also praised the arrangements made by the government.
He said, “Sanatan Dharma is the soul of India and every citizen must respect it. Our government is determined to give grandeur to this tradition. The protection of Sanatan Dharma is the guarantee of the protection of world humanity. People of every caste, creed, and religion have reached Prayagraj Maha Kumbh with reverence. When even cricketer Mohammed Shami took a bath, why are opposition leaders opposing it?,” he questioned.
Yogi said that the opposition has been opposing not only the Maha Kumbh but also the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. “When the Supreme Court unanimously gave its verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi, even then parties like SP and Congress opposed it. Even when Ram Lalla was being enthroned in Ayodhya, these people were opposing it. When we proposed that all the MLAs should go to Ayodhya for darshan, then the SP walked out,” he said.
He said that before 2017, the UP had a negative image, but the double-engine government has changed the perception of the state. He said that today the image of UP is known for development, law and order, and preservation of culture.
He said, “Maha Kumbh is a big example of this. The world is looking at us with respect.”
The CM challenged the opposition and said that those who are opposing Maha Kumbh should change their mindset. “We are proud that this grand event is being held under the leadership of our government and we will complete it with full devotion,” he said.
He said that the Kumbh of 2013 was a victim of administrative negligence and chaos, while the Maha Kumbh of 2025 is being organised with better facilities and well-planned arrangements. “Those who were responsible for the chaos in 2013 are today criticising Maha Kumbh. After the stampede at Prayag station in 2013, the then chief of the state was making sharp attacks on the central government. They were not even getting money from the then central government and there was immense corruption in the money spent,” he said.
Yogi said that the duration of Kumbh is determined from the religious point of view and this time it is being organized for 45 days, whereas in 2013 it was for 55 days. “In 2013, the area of Kumbh was only 1,936 hectares (less than 5,000 acres), whereas this time it is being organised in an area of more than 10,000 acres. A total of 14 sectors were created in 2013, while in 2025 their number has been increased to 25,” he said.
He said, “Major improvements have also been made in the parking area, in 2013 there was a parking facility in 635 hectares, while this time it has been expanded to 1,850 hectares, in which parking area has been made available for more than 6 lakh four-wheelers.”
The CM said that in 2013 there was no concrete ghat, river front, or ROB in Prayagraj, while in 2019 9 ROBs and 6 underpasses were built. 14 flyovers, 9 concrete ghats, and 7 river fronts have been prepared for the 2025 event. The length of the temporary ghats was only 4 km in 2013, which has been increased to 12 km in 2025.
He said that in 2013 there was no arrangement of shuttle buses for the devotees, while this time 550 shuttle buses have been deployed. “The number of roadways buses has been increased from 2,300 to 7,000. Bus stands in Prayagraj have also been increased from 3 to 7. Major work has also been done in the direction of road widening. In 2013, only 55 km of roads were widened, while in 2019, 125 roads were widened from 2 to 4 lanes and 4 to 6 lanes. More than 200 roads have been widened in 2025,” he said.
While referring to the filth of Ganga and Yamuna during 2013, Yogi said that at that time the situation was so bad that the Prime Minister of Mauritius refused to take a dip in the Ganga. He said that this time arrangements have been made for the treatment of 261 MLD sewer by taping 81 drains.
He said that in January and February, the amount of fecal coliform at Sangam Nose has been found to be as per the standard, which is less than two and a half thousand MPN per 100 ml. “This is the report of the UP Pollution Board. The Central Pollution Control Board has also found it to be within the standard in its report,” he said.
The CM said that the UP Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board are constantly monitoring the quality of water and according to the latest report, the water of Sangam is now found fit for both bathing and drinking.
He said that this time for the first time in Kumbh, Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots have been used, which are available in 11 languages. “Along with this, a Digital Experience Centre has been established. QR codes have been issued and 2,700 CCTV cameras and 20 drones have been installed for security,” he said.
Comparing the well-planned Maha Kumbh this year with the mismanaged and corruption-ridden 2013 Kumbh, Yogi revealed shocking irregularities from the past. He pointed out that despite the central government allocating Rs 1,141.63 crore and the state government spending Rs 10.57 crore, 59 percent of the work remained incomplete before the fair began.
He said, “According to the 2014 report of CAG, in 2013, when the devotees were taking a holy dip on one hand, the administration was immersed in corruption. In 2013, many contractors were given undue benefits by giving crores of rupees, there was a huge shortage of toilets, and crores of rupees were spent without technical approval.”
The CM said, “Rs 46.68 crore was released without testing in the name of road widening and repair. In 2013, material worth Rs 9.01 crore was purchased without any requirement. Crores of rupees were given to 23 contractors for undue benefits. The lack of toilets was to such an extent that, on average, 900 people had to use one toilet daily. There was also no wall between the women’s and men’s toilets. Samples were taken from only nine taps to check drinking water quality. There were no changing rooms on the ghats, nor were ambulances arranged.”
He said, “More than 1.5 lakh toilets, 500 km of checkered plates, 30 pontoon bridges, 2,000 changing rooms, 125 ambulances, seven river ambulances, one air ambulance, 7,000 sanitation workers, 2,500 Gangadoot, 5,000 Kumbh Seva Mitras and 10,000 other employees have been included in the arrangements for the Maha Kumbh.”
Yogi said, “More than 75,000 police officers and employees have been deployed for security and traffic. More than 2,700 CCTVs and 20 drone cameras have been installed in Maha Kumbh. A pipeline of 1,250 km has been laid to ensure the supply of pure drinking water and a new water police fleet has been deployed. A special campaign is being run to ban single-use plastic and 6,000 beds have been arranged in hospitals.”
He said that the central and state Governments have allocated Rs 7,500 crore for Maha Kumbh. “Of this, Rs 1,500 crore has been dedicated to organising the event, while the remaining funds have been used for expanding Prayagraj’s infrastructure.”
Highlighting the city’s transformation, the CM said, “Prayagraj now has six aerodromes, up from just two, significantly enhancing air connectivity. As a result, over 750 flights, planes, and chartered aircraft have already landed in the city. The Indian Railways also plays a crucial role, with over 3,000 special trains running to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. Senior officials, including the Chairman, General Manager, and DRM of the Railway Board, are actively coordinating with the local administration to ensure seamless arrangements.”
He emphasised that Maha Kumbh is emerging as a global symbol of India’s strength and UP’s pride. “The event is witnessing participation from the President of India, industrialists, judges, celebrities, and lakhs of devotees worldwide. Every visitor has lauded the arrangements and the event elevates Sanatan culture’s prestige on the global stage,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, Yogi criticised them for spreading unnecessary propaganda, even though many personally visited Maha Kumbh for the holy dip.
He said that those indulging in false narratives are not working in the state or the nation’s interest. Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he declared that Maha Kumbh will be a resounding success, further solidifying UP’s and India’s reputation on the world stage. (UNI)
Infected person can be treated, but infected mindset can’t be cured: Yogi
