New Delhi- Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has launched a strong criticism against the government's handling of the Maha Kumbh stampede, demanding the release of what he claims are the true death toll figures. Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Lok Sabha, Yadav challenged the government's reported figures of approximately 30 deaths and 60 injuries from the stampede that occurred during Mauni Amavasya, a major Amrit Snan event.

In his parliamentary address, Yadav called for comprehensive disclosure of Maha Kumbh management details, including medical facilities, medicines, and other arrangements. "The government is freely sharing the Budget figures but it's not the case with Maha Kumbh," he stated, advocating for an all-party meeting to discuss the Prayagraj incident. He further proposed that the Army should assume responsibility for disaster management at the Maha Kumbh, highlighting concerns about current safety measures.

The SP chief intensified his criticism by accusing the state government of prioritizing publicity over public safety in Prayagraj. He demanded punitive action against officials allegedly involved in concealing casualty figures, stating, "Erasing the truth is a crime." His allegations were amplified by claims from SP MPs who suggested that bodies were disposed of in the river to minimize the apparent scale of the tragedy. Yadav questioned the "double-engine government's" handling of the situation, suggesting that the suppression of figures indicated potential wrongdoing.