'Not a big incident': Hema Malini's shocking remark on Mahakumbh stampede

Congress condemns her remarks, terming them as a mockery of the victim.

Hema Malini Hema Malini

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini stirred up a storm after she remarked that the stampede at the Mahakumbh site in Prayagraj was not a "very big incident".

Claiming that the incident was being exaggerated, the actor-turned-politician praised the Uttar Pradesh government for the "well-managed" event.

"It is right that an incident took place, but it was not a very big incident. I don't know how big it was. It is being exaggerated. It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well," she said.

On January 29, on the occasion of the Mauni Amavasya, a major stampede broke out at the Sangam, killing at least 30 people and injuring over 60 others. 

The police blamed overcrowding for the incident while the opposition targeted the government, alleging mismanagement and VIP movement at the event.

The Mathura MP, who took her holy dip last week, also seemed to excuse the stampede, saying it was difficult to manage such a large crowd.

"So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage but we are doing our best," she said.

The Congress hit back, saying her remarks were a mockery of the victims of the stampede. Party MP Tariq Anwar said things at Mahakumbh went downhill because the police and administration were busy making arrangements for VIPs.

"Hema Malini can never know what it was really like. When she visited, she was given VIP treatment. Things at Maha Kumbh went downhill because the police and administration were both after VIPs. They did not bother about the arrangements and security of common people," Anwar said.

"If she (Hema Malini) says this issue is not a big one, it is unfortunate, and it is a mockery of the victims," he added.

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