During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut has raised concerns over the official death toll from two separate stampedes. Raut claimed that over 7,000 people have gone missing in Prayagraj amid the festival. He disputed the official reports regarding the stampedes that occurred on February 15 at New Delhi Railway Station and on January 29 in Prayagraj.
According to Raut, his sources suggest that at least 120 to 150 individuals perished in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, a stark contrast to the official government figure of just 30 deaths. He further criticized the government for allegedly downplaying the figures, calling it a case of mismanagement. Raut also questioned the way people were invited to the event, stating that it was portrayed as a BJP event, with inadequate provisions for transport, food, and accommodation for the attendees.
Raut also referenced Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's claim that 50 crore people attended the Kumbh Mela, asking how many of them died and why the figures have not been disclosed. He pointed out that 7,000 people had gone missing, questioning their fate—whether they perished in the stampedes or disappeared under unknown circumstances. He also accused the government of suppressing the true death toll from the Delhi stampede.
Earlier in the Rajya Sabha, Raut had stated that more than 2,000 people had died in the Prayagraj stampede, despite the official claim that only 30 had lost their lives. He pointed out that initially, the stampede was dismissed as a rumor, but the actual death toll remained hidden. He urged the government not to hide the figures, emphasizing that even one death should be taken seriously, and criticized the discrepancy between what was witnessed and the official count.