New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sulata Deo on Monday raised serious concerns over the government's inability to track missing persons and deceased family members during the Maha Kumbh, despite the use of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence.
During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, Deo demanded a short discussion on the tragic stampede that occurred during the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya on January 29. The Uttar Pradesh government reported that 30 people lost their lives and 60 others sustained injuries in the incident.
Deo criticized the lack of accountability, questioning why technology that effectively monitors crowd size could not be utilized to track missing individuals. "If AI can help us count the number of people in a crowd, why can't it help us find those who are missing? Why is this not being questioned?" she asked.
Drawing parallels, she pointed out that a short-duration discussion was conducted in July last year when waterlogging in Delhi resulted in student fatalities. "If we can discuss that incident, why are we not discussing this major tragedy at Kumbh? Families are struggling to locate their loved ones, but no one is raising the issue," she asserted.
Criticism of President’s Address
Deo also criticized the President’s address, alleging it lacked mention of issues concerning Odisha, the state from which President Droupadi Murmu hails. She cited the recent case of three tribal women who died after consuming mango kernel payasam in Kandhamal district. "We speak about AI and Viksit Bharat, but why is no one talking about Mandipanka?" she questioned.Further, she slammed the government’s stance on the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, stating, "The President praised Polavaram but did not mention a word about Odisha, despite being the daughter of the state."
The BJD MP also raised concerns about tribals being falsely implicated in cases linked to a proposed factory in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, the home constituency of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "Being from a tribal community, it is crucial to stand up for tribals, yet the media remains silent," she remarked.
Law and Order Concerns in Odisha
Deo further highlighted a gruesome murder in Odisha that coincided with the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas event inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January. She revealed that Sahadeb Nayak, a police informer, was beheaded in broad daylight just a few kilometers away from the venue. "How can such an incident occur with heavy security presence for the PM and NRIs? Where is the law and order?" she questioned.She also pointed to poor internet connectivity issues affecting Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, highlighting the technological disparity affecting beneficiaries.
China’s Brahmaputra Dam Sparks Concern
During the discussion, AGP MP Birendra Prasad Baishya expressed alarm over China’s plans to construct a large dam on the Brahmaputra River. He warned that the project could divert surplus water to China, leading to a severe water crisis in India’s northeastern states. "If Brahmaputra dries up, our civilization, social structure, and economy will collapse. The government must take up this issue seriously, even at the international level," Baishya urged.AIADMK MP Calls for CBI Probe in Anna University Case
AIADMK MP M Thambidurai raised concerns over an alleged sexual assault case in Anna University, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.Meanwhile, BJP MPs Ram Chander Jangra and Banshilal Gurjar also participated in the discussion.
As debates in the Rajya Sabha intensified, opposition members continued to press for accountability, raising critical concerns over governance, technology’s role in crisis management, and law enforcement across the country.
