New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – A political storm erupted in Rajya Sabha on Monday after Congress president and Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, claimed that "thousands" had died in the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede, prompting a strong backlash from the treasury benches. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar intervened, urging Kharge to either substantiate or retract his statement, but the senior Congress leader stood his ground.
During a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, Kharge paid tributes to the victims of the tragic incident at the Maha Kumbh’s Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, stating, “I pay my tributes to the people who died in Maha Kumbh... the thousands who died in Kumbh.” This statement led to immediate protests from the ruling members.
Government Challenges Kharge's Figures
According to official figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 people were killed and 60 injured in the stampede. However, Kharge defended his claim, saying, “This is my estimate. If this is not right, the government should reveal the truth. If I am wrong, I am ready to correct myself.”
Chairman Dhankhar repeatedly urged Kharge to withdraw his statement, emphasizing the gravity of words spoken in the House. “A message that goes from here reaches the entire world. If a statement is found to be untrue, even a contradiction later will not undo the damage. I appeal to your conscience,” Dhankhar stated.
Piyush Goyal Accuses Kharge of Misleading the Nation
Leader of the House Piyush Goyal strongly criticized Kharge, accusing him of spreading misinformation and misleading the country. He cited past tragedies at the Kumbh Mela, stating that in 1954, when Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister, 800 people died in a stampede on Mauni Amavasya, and in 1986, under Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, 200 people lost their lives due to VIP movement-related chaos.
“The Congress must answer for those incidents. Over 40 crore people are attending the Kumbh this time,” Goyal added.
Later in the evening, Dhankhar issued a formal directive, asking Kharge to authenticate his statement, calling it an "outrageous and outlandish claim."
Kharge Targets Government Over Economy, Farmers’ Suicides
During his speech, Kharge also took aim at the government on economic issues, accusing it of favoring wealthy industrialists while neglecting the common people.
“Is this Amrit Kaal (Golden Era) or Vish Kaal (Worst Era)? Over the last 10 years, one lakh farmers have committed suicide,” he claimed.
Goyal immediately objected, demanding that Kharge provide authenticated data for his assertion.
Kharge further criticized the government over the falling rupee, recalling that in 2013, Narendra Modi, then Gujarat CM, had claimed that the “rupee was in the ICU” when it was at ₹60 per dollar. “Now, the dollar is over ₹87,” he pointed out.
War of Words Escalates
The session saw further uproar when BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar interrupted Kharge’s speech. In an irritated response, Kharge asked him to sit down, reminding him that he was a friend of Neeraj’s father, former PM Chandra Shekhar. This sparked fresh protests from the treasury benches.
Chairman Dhankhar called Chandra Shekhar “one of the tallest leaders” of India and urged calm. Even as he insisted that Kharge withdraw his remarks, the Congress leader refused to back down.
Kharge Praises Manmohan Singh Amid BJP Criticism
In his concluding remarks, Kharge paid tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, calling him “the architect of the modern Indian economy”, while accusing the BJP of repeatedly insulting him.
“Manmohan ji kept quiet and did his work,” he remarked, hinting at BJP’s past criticisms of the former PM.
The highly charged session reflected the deepening tensions between the ruling and opposition parties, with Kharge’s remarks setting off a major political row.
