New Delhi [India], February 4: BJP MP Arun Govil on Tuesday criticized Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan for her remarks on the Mahakumbh, questioning her claims about contaminated water and bodies of stampede victims being thrown into the river. Govil demanded evidence from Bachchan, calling her accusations baseless.
Govil emphasized, “Has she given any proof? She has not given anything, so she has no right to say all this.” He further accused the opposition of showing no interest in India’s culture, religion, or Sanatan but only in politicizing issues. “The opposition has nothing to do with our culture, religion, Sanatan, they only want to do politics,” he added.
Jaya Bachchan, in her earlier statement, had alleged that the water at the Mahakumbh was contaminated and claimed bodies from the stampede victims were thrown into the river, causing the contamination. She also criticized the arrangements for common people visiting the event, stating, “The common people visiting Kumbh are not receiving any special treatment; there is no arrangement for them.”
In response to Bachchan’s remarks, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, expressed sadness over her comments, particularly in the context of Parliament. He stated that the issue is not political but national. Swami Saraswati praised the Kumbh Mela as a massive celebration that brought together crores of devotees, including international visitors, and lauded the Indian police for their calm and life-saving efforts during a recent stampede incident.