Unmasking Tragedy: Hidden Fatalities at Kumbh Mela Festival

A recent BBC investigation uncovered that the actual death toll following the crowd crush during the Kumbh Mela festival may far exceed the government’s reported figures. Despite the official count of 37 fatalities, the investigation reveals additional undocumented deaths and questionable compensation practices.

A BBC Hindi investigation has shed light on a harrowing aspect of the Kumbh Mela tragedy, revealing that Indian officials quietly compensated a greater number of victims’ families than the publicized death toll suggests. While the official count stands at 37, the report estimates at least 26 additional victims received cash compensation, and 18 deaths went unacknowledged altogether.

The Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering, was struck by a devastating crowd crush on January 29 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. As part of its probe, the BBC reported that a group of plain-clothed police officers distributed large cash payments to grieving families mere weeks after the disaster.

On March 25, officials contacted the family of 62-year-old Tara Devi in Gopalganj, Bihar, handing over 500,000 rupees (approximately $5,758) as compensation. Her son, Dhananjay Gond, recorded a video statement confirming the receipt of the funds. According to him, police informed the family that this was the first installment of a promised payout totaling 2.5 million rupees.

Despite the enormity of the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has yet to publish an official list of victims' names. Of the 35 families whose compensation payments of 2.5 million were noted, only one received a cheque, while the others had funds transferred electronically. The BBC uncovered that alongside Tara Devi's family, 26 others received 500,000 rupees at their homes, often coerced into signing documents attributing deaths to health problems rather than the crush itself.

Further investigations by the BBC indicated that four separate incidents occurred on the day in question, contradicting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s claims of a single casualty scene. Through interviews and cross-references with local media, the BBC was able to verify 82 deaths with concrete evidence, prompting scrutiny of the government's failure to acknowledge all casualties.

The families of the deceased have shared poignant stories of loss, revealing the human cost behind the statistics. Kusum Devi recounted sitting by her husband Panne Lal Sahni’s corpse for hours amid chaotic scenes, stating: “People were stepping over his body.” Tragically, some families, facing refusal for compensation, spoke to the BBC about the pain of being ignored in their grief.

Communication attempts with government officials have largely gone unanswered, reflecting an ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the incident. Reports detail further crush incidents at various locations within the Kumbh venue, increasing concerns over the adequacy of safety measures, despite the deployment of extensive security personnel and technology.

The investigation highlights ongoing grievances from families still seeking recognition and compensation, as they grapple with the aftermath of a tragic event marred by negligence and systemic oversight. As more families come forward, the BBC's findings call for a deeper examination of accountability within the Indian government regarding public safety at large-scale events.