A police officer has been suspended after a viral video allegedly showed him mixing ash into food being served at a community feast (Bhandara) for devotees attending the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many demanding swift action against the officer involved.
The video, which surfaced on various platforms, shows a man, identified as Station House Officer (SHO) Brijesh Kumar Tiwari of Soraon, adding ash into the food prepared over a stove for pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh. The video was first posted on microblogging platform X, where a user tagged the official account of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ganga Nagar, Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, calling the act “shameful.”
The DCP responded swiftly, stating that based on a report from the ACP Soraon, action had been taken against Tiwari, and the officer was suspended. Gunawat confirmed that departmental proceedings were underway. “Taking cognizance of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) has suspended the Soraon SHO based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway,” the response read.
The video also gained significant attention when it was shared by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. Yadav criticized the incident, stating, “It is unfortunate that the good efforts of those who are making arrangements to provide food and water to those stranded at the Maha Kumbh are being scuttled due to political animosity. The public should take notice!”
The incident occurred during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, which attracts millions of devotees each year. Community kitchens, known as Bhandaras, have been set up by various groups and organizations to offer free or affordable meals to the visiting pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the Maha Kumbh Mela was marred by a tragic stampede at the Sangam area on Wednesday during the Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan. At least 30 people were killed, and 60 others were injured as millions of pilgrims gathered for the auspicious holy dip. Several others went missing in the chaos.
In response to the stampede, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar visited the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj on Thursday to meet with the injured. They inquired about the condition of the victims and instructed the medical staff to ensure the continued availability of care for all affected.
The tragic stampede highlights the scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela and the immense pressure it places on both the authorities and the devotees. The incident has raised concerns over crowd management at large-scale religious events and the need for heightened safety measures in future gatherings.
Sources By Agencies