The sacred Mahakumbh's Mouni Amavasya drew an immense crowd, culminating in a heart-wrenching stampede that shattered the joy for many families. Particularly, for several families from West Bengal, the Mahakumbh Mela turned into an occasion of sorrow and mourning, claiming the lives of numerous devotees. Basanti Poddar from Kolkata and 78-year-old Urmila Bhuiyan from Salboni, West Midnapore, were among the deceased.
A Son's Agony After Losing His Mother
Basanti Poddar attended the Kumbh Mela with her son, Surjeet Poddar, only to be lost in the chaos of the stampede. Surjeet recounted, at the time of the incident, there was an absence of both police and administrative systems. He remarked, when the chaos ensued, both volunteers and police were nowhere to be seen. Proper security arrangements might have prevented this tragedy.
Surjeet lamented that his mother lay unattended for 45 minutes amidst the turmoil, with no aid arriving. Three individuals had collapsed over her, and it took 15 minutes for anyone to attend to them, yet the police were nowhere around. Local residents eventually stepped in to help. Upon reaching the hospital, doctors declared his mother deceased, and they have yet to receive her death certificate.
Surjeet also noted that the hospital administration mentioned a delay in issuing the death certificate, stating it would be sent to them in 7-8 days. Had the administration and police been more vigilant, this calamity might have been avoided.
The Loss of Urmila Bhuiyan from Salboni
This tragic incident also claimed the life of 78-year-old Urmila Bhuiyan from Salboni, West Midnapore. She had ventured to the Kumbh Mela for a sacred dip, but this pilgrimage turned into a devastating chapter for her family. Her daughter-in-law was informed of the tragedy by a family member. She received calls revealing that a stampede struck the Kumbh, and they were trying to reach her. Later, around 1:30 pm, a relative who accompanied her and was injured herself, called from the hospital to inform that her mother-in-law was no longer with us.
Questions Surrounding Administrative Negligence
In the aftermath of this sorrowful event, severe allegations of negligence have surfaced against the administration. Eyewitnesses and victim families expressed that police and security forces were scarcely present during the chaos. Many lives might have been spared if concrete safety measures were in place. Families urge the government to prioritize safety in future events of this magnitude to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
The absence of resolution exacerbates the grief of families in West Bengal, bringing into question the adequacies of preparation for mammoth gatherings like the Mahakumbh Mela. These stories of loss highlight the pressing need for comprehensive security measures that ensure the safety of all attendees, honoring the profound cultural and spiritual significance of such events. As these families mourn, their voices add to the growing chorus advocating for a safer environment at future religious congregations.
