A.P. Congress Committee vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji on Sunday (February 16) slammed the BJP government at the Centre for “marketing Kumbh Mela as a profit-making event but not doing enough to safeguard the lives of devotees visiting for a holy dip.”
In a statement, Mr. Shivaji referred to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s claim that a sum of ₹1,500 crore was spent on organising Kumbh Mela, but the revenue generated through the event would be to the tune of ₹3 lakh crores and said the government was completely oblivious to the sufferings of the pilgrims facing hardships.
“Even before we could forget the tragic stampede in Prayagraj, which claimed over 30 lives, another heartbreaking incident occurred yesterday at the Delhi railway station that killed 18 people. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased,”he said, adding, “While the railway ministry has announced compensation, it is not enough.” He demanded an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh to the kin of the each deceased person and ₹5 lakh for the injured.
Citing reports, he said the stampede occurred because over 10,000 people gathered on the platform. Trains were cancelled, platforms were changed suddenly, and escalators were switched off, all of which led to the chaos. “This is a complete failure of the government. Moreover, banning media from entering the hospital where the injured were being treated, is unethical,” he argued, suggesting that instead of restricting media access, the government should have allowed coverage to prevent misinformation from spreading on social media.
He said the Congress demanded immediate removal of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and an urgent discussion on the issue in Parliament. He said the Supreme Court should take suo motu cognisance of the deaths of 30 people in Prayagraj and 18 people at the Delhi railway station and issue notices to the Railway Ministry, Railway Board, and the Central Government and order an immediate investigation.
Published – February 16, 2025 08:28 pm IST
