In Lok Sabha, PM Modi says Maha Kumbh pivotal moment of national awakening like Dandi march, Bhagat Singh martyrdom; Opposition MPs protest

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the successful conduct of ‘Maha Kumbh’ gave a befitting reply to those who had “doubts and apprehensions” about India’s capabilities but his statement in Lok Sabha did not mention the stampede during the religious event, raising protests from the Opposition leading to adjournment of the House.

Modi said India achieved independence by seeking inspiration from historical the Swadeshi movement, Swami Vivekananda’s iconic Chicago speech, 1857 War of Independence, Bhagat Singh's martyrdom, ‘Dilli Chalo’ call by Netaji Subhas Bose and Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March and the Maha Kumbh was a “similar significant milestone that reflects the spirit of an awakened nation”

Emphasising that the “nectar of unity” was the “most sacred offering” of the ‘Maha Kumbh’, he also said the country needs to address the crisis facing several rivers and give a new expansion to the tradition of river festivals to make the present generation understand the importance of water, cleanliness of rivers and its protection.

He said ‘Maha Kumbh’ in Prayagraj between January 13 and February 28 reflected the “spirit of rising India” and it gave a “befitting reply to the doubts and apprehensions that some people have in their minds about our capabilities”.

As Modi concluded his 13:24 minute speech, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi rose to intervene but was disallowed by Speaker Om Birla citing rules and went ahead with a discussion on Railways, prompting non-NDA MPs to rush to the Well of the House. 

The House was first adjourned for 30 minutes and when the House re-convened at 1 PM, protests continued while Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw replied to the debate amid Opposition sloganeering. As he concluded, Vice Chairman Sandhya Ray started a discussion on the Ministry of Water Resources but within minutes adjourned the House for the day.

Rahul told reporters outside Parliament that he wanted to speak in support of what Modi was saying. 

“Kumbh is our tradition, history and culture. There was also a complaint that he did not pay homage to those who lost their lives (in the stampede). The other thing I wanted to say is that the youth who went to the Kumbh need another thing from the Prime Minister, they need employment. The Prime Minister should speak on employment,” he said.

When asked about not being allowed to speak, he said, “we are not allowed to speak. According to the democratic structure, the LoP should be permitted to speak, but is not given permission, but this is new India.”

As per official count, 30 people died in a stampede in Maha Kumbh venue in Prayagraj while another 16 people who were headed to the pilgrim site lost their lives in a similar incident in New Delhi Railway Station.

In his speech, Modi said people speaking different languages and dialects chanting ‘Har Har Gange’ on the banks of the Sangam gave a glimpse of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

“We witnessed the enthusiasm and excitement of the Mahakumbh in India for about one and a half months. The way millions of devotees came together with devotion, rising above the concerns of convenience and inconvenience, is our greatest strength,” Modi said.

“In the Maha Kumbh, we have seen the great awakening of our national consciousness. This national consciousness, which takes the nation towards new resolutions, inspires the achievement of new resolutions,” he said.

He also spoke about how youth actively participated in the ‘Maha Kumbh’ and other festivals with deep devotion and that they were embracing their traditions, faith, and beliefs with pride.

Congress' Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Opposition also has its sentiments on it and they should not have had any objection to them airing their views. Congress Lok Sabha Whip Mod Jawed said they were not allowed to raise issues related to Maha Kumbh earlier citing that it was a state issue but the Prime Minister was allowed to speak.

Opposition leaders said they wanted to speak on the issue as they were denied opportunity earlier while alleging that the Prime Minister's "surprise" statement was an attempt to divert attention from issues like electoral reforms and delimitation