Maroc - POPDIARIES.COM - A La Une - 03/Feb 16:49

Controversy Erupts After Jaya Bachchan Remarks On Kumbh Stampede Victims

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan sparked controversy with her statement on Monday, in which she claimed that the Ganga water in Prayagraj, where thousands are participating in the ongoing Maha Kumbh, is severely contaminated due to bodies of those who died in the recent stampede being dumped in the river. Ms. Bachchan, a Rajya Sabha MP, rejected the Yogi Adityanath government's assertions that millions of people have taken part in the Maha Kumbh, one of the world's biggest and auspicious religious gatherings. She also put forward that the government provide proper  accurate data on the number of deaths that occurred during the stampede. On 29th of January, at least 30 people were killed when a big crowd broke through barricades and scrambled for space to bathe at the Sangam - the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati - during "Amrit Snan" on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Ms. Bachchan remarked as follows: "Where is the water most contaminated right now? It is in Kumbh. No one is giving any clarification on that. Bodies (of those who died in the stampede) have been thrown in the river because of which the water has been contaminated... This is the water which is being used by the people there. No one is giving any clarification on this." She continued further: "The real issues of the country are not being addressed. People who do not get any VIP treatment, the common man, no arrangement has been made for them." When she was asked that what she expected from the state government, the actor-politician responded: "At least tell us the truth about what happened at Kumbh. They (government) should speak about it in Parliament." READ MORE - Rupee Fell Past 87 Against US dollar To A Record Low!