Police try to manage crowds after stampede during Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Credit: PTI Photo
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad on Wednesday triggered a controversy after he termed the stampede at the Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on Wednesday in which 30 devotees were killed and dozens others injured a ‘minor incident’.
‘’Itne bade ayojan mein aur itni bheed mein choti moti ghatnayen hoti rehti han’’ (such minor incidents keep happening in such a huge event and when such massive crowd gather), Uttar Pradesh minister and Nishad Party, a BJP ally, president Sanjay Nishad said.
As Nishad’s remarks triggered strong reactions from the rival parties, he made a U-turn and said that it was a ‘’slip of tongue’’.
‘’The incident is unfortunate…the state government is providing all possible medical care to the injured…necessary steps will be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents,’’ he said.
The main opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) said that the remarks of the minister revealed the 'mindset’ of the BJP-led government. ‘’It’s shameful to term the stampede a minor incident…he must be sacked,’’ said a senior SP leader here.