Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday for holding a cabinet meeting at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Yadav stated that the Kumbh is a spiritual event and not a venue for political decision-making.
“Kumbh or Prayagraj is not the place where politics or political decisions should be taken. Organizing a cabinet meeting at Kumbh is purely political. Many of us (from the Samajwadi Party) have gone to take a holy dip, but we didn’t post pictures or inform the media,” said the Kannauj MP in a sharp critique of the ruling government.
His comments came as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a special cabinet meeting at the Maha Kumbh. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had announced that several key decisions would be made during the meeting. “Many important decisions will be taken in the Cabinet meeting today. Following the meeting, all cabinet members, along with the CM, will take a holy dip at the Sangam,” Maurya stated.
All 54 ministers of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet were invited to the meeting, which is expected to approve significant proposals and development schemes for the state.
After the meeting, CM Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet members are scheduled to take a ceremonial dip in the Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. This is not the first instance of such an event. In 2019, during the Kumbh Mela, CM Yogi led his cabinet to the Sangam, accompanied by Akhada Parishad President Narendra Giri and other saints.
The Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. Key upcoming snan (holy dip) dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
To ensure the safety of the millions of devotees attending the event, over 10,000 police personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces, have been deployed. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed a “water ambulance” at the Sangam to address emergencies.
While the Yogi government emphasizes the significance of holding the cabinet meeting at the Kumbh to align with cultural and spiritual traditions, Yadav’s remarks reflect concerns about blending politics with religious events.
