Kharge's 'thousands' died in Kumbh remark in Rajya Sabha sparks protest

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement in Upper House on Monday that ‘thousands’ died on the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede triggered an uproar and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked him to authenticate it with documents.

While participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Rajya Sabha, Kharge said "I pay my tributes to the people who died in Maha Kumbh... the 'thousands' who died in Kumbh."

Condemning the statement, members from the ruling party protested.

Kharge, was quick to add that "this is my estimate (and) if this is not right you (the government) should tell what is the truth". He said he was ready to be corrected.

"I did not say 'thousands' to blame anyone. But how many people died, give that information at least. I will apologise if I am wrong. They should give figures of how many died, how many are missing," he said.

There was a stampede during the amrit snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29. According to the figures provided by the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 people were killed and 60 others were injured.

Dhankhar said, "The LoP has indicated a scenario using figures to the extent of thousands. I appeal to him, in this House, whatever is spoken, carries great weight. You have spoken something that has numbed everyone."

"A message that goes from here, even if it is contradicted, goes to the whole world. Can you go to that extent? I would appeal to you as one of the senior most leaders of this country, if you put a figure in thousands I can only appeal to your conscience," he said.

Dhankhar urged him to retract his statement or authenticate it with documents.

Chairman Dhankhar called Kharge making the claim a 'very sad moment'.

In response, Piyush Goel said, “During (Jawaharlal) Nehru’s time, 800 people died in the Kumbh mela, during Rajiv Gandhi’s time, 200 people died, in 2013, 42 people died, but today politics is being done over Kumbh deaths.”

When the House assembled, Opposition parties in the Upper House on Monday walked out after the chair did not accept their demand for an immediate discussion on alleged mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh.