Lucknow: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has strongly condemned the recent remarks made by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh against leftists in connection with the Kumbh Mela. In a statement issued by the CPI State Secretariat, the party’s state secretary, Comrade Arvind Raj Swaroop, labeled the CM’s allegations, as reported in Navbharat Times, as biased and prejudiced.
The state secretary emphasized that religious gatherings like the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh Melas have been integral to Indian traditions since time immemorial. “These festivals were not initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); they are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the people,” he asserted. He further stated that it is the government’s duty to efficiently manage such religious events rather than using them as a tool for political propaganda.
Government Intolerant to Criticism
Comrade Swaroop accused the Uttar Pradesh government of being intolerant to criticism, particularly regarding its handling of the Kumbh Mela. He pointed out that the extensive media publicity orchestrated by the government led to an unprecedented influx of devotees. However, the administration failed to control the crowd, resulting in a deadly stampede that claimed multiple lives. Additionally, incidents of fire and severe mismanagement were widely reported, with visuals showing thousands of devotees left to sleep in the open amid harsh winter conditions, while VIPs enjoyed privileged access to facilities.
He criticized the government for failing to acknowledge its shortcomings. “Had the government accepted its mistakes and taken responsibility for the mishaps, the situation would have been different. However, instead of admitting failure, it resorts to blaming the leftists for merely stating the truth,” he said.
The CPI leader concluded by vehemently rejecting the CM’s allegations, calling them an attempt to divert public attention from administrative failures. “We strongly condemn these baseless accusations,” he stated.
