The Maha Kumbh Mela is held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, which is considered one of the greatest religious congregations in the world. Millions of Hindu pilgrims converge with the aim of taking a holy dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. The event was marred by tragedy on January 29, 2025, where a stampede at that early dawn killed at least 30 people and left over 60 with injuries.
Reason for PIL File on Khumb Stampede
- The stampede occurred sometime between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., on January 29, 2025, while devoted tens of millions offered their prayers and witnessed the religious dip on Mauni Amavasya, popularly considered the most auspicious day of the festival.
- Witnesses reported that some people in trying to jump the barricades installed for managing the crowd were the culprits for creating a commotion during the holy dip of ascetics.
- There was congestion, suffocation, and a massive push from the rear, leading to many people falling down and others scrambling to get out. A few sustained fractures and bone fractures, and others died from heart attacks.
Supreme Court Decisions on Mahakumbh Stampede
- As per the Supreme Court Ruling, On Monday, the Supreme Court declines to exercise jurisdiction on a PIL seeking some guidelines to ensure the safety of devotees attending the Kumbh Mela, where at least 30 persons were killed and 60 others were reported injured in a pre-dawn stampede in Prayagraj.
- The Supreme Court, comprising the Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, took note of the submission made by the state of Uttar Pradesh that a plea on this very issue was already filed before the Allahabad High Court and therefore the petition should not be looked into by the apex court.
- Calling it an unfortunate incident, the top court asked the petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari to move the hearing before the Allahabad High Court.
- This is an unfortunate incident. But Tiwari (Petitioner) was asked to go to the Allahabad High Court by the bench.
- The Supreme Court took notice of the submission of senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, who was representing the state of Uttar Pradesh in the case, who said that the inquiry was initiated after this incident.
- The PIL was filed in the top court on January 30, a day after the stampede in Prayagraj.
- The incident occurred on the day of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
- Jumping in a day later under Article 32 of the Constitution, the petition filed by Tiwari requested for guidelines to prevent situations of stampede and to ensure the fundamental rights to equality and life under Article 21.
Role of the Judiciary
- The decisions made by the Supreme Court in redirecting the PIL to the Allahabad High Court illustrate the manner wherein the judiciary responds to such incidents. It highlighted the elevation of the role of the High Court and the existence of the Board of Inquiry, therefore underscoring the precedence of the judiciary and the necessity of local judicial interventions.
- This move denotes that the judiciary acknowledged specific and contextual solutions to the complex and huge problems that arise during major events such as the Kumbh Mela.
Therefore, the tragic stampede at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela serves as the soul printer on the challenges that surface while handling large religious gatherings. While the judiciary has set processes in motion to investigate the incident and recommend safeguards, it is important that all stakeholders, government, organizers of events, and public come together to put in place effective safety protocols. Only through joint action can we prevent another tragedy and give devotees a sense that they can freely attend blessed events.
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