Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav triggered a storm on Sunday after he allegedly dubbed the Mahakumbh Mela as a "meaningless" event.
Prasad, a former railway minister, made the remarks while commenting on the stampede at New Delhi station on Monday night.
At least 18 people died while dozens of others were injured in the stampede on Saturday night when thousands of passengers, mostly Maha Kumbh pilgrims, crowded the station to board trains to Prayagraj.
Prasad blamed the BJP government at the Centre for the incident and demanded the resignation of the railway minister.
#WATCH | Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station | Patna, Bihar: Former Union Railway Minister and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav says, "The incident is very unfortunate and I offer my condolences to the victims. This is a mismanagement by the Railway that led to the loss of so many… pic.twitter.com/83icLBvtSm
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025
"The incident is extremely unfortunate, and I extend my condolences to the victims. This tragedy was caused by the Railway’s mismanagement, and the Railway Minister must take responsibility,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Asked about how lakhs of people were heading to Paraygraj for the Mahakumbh Mela, the RJD chief said the event is "meaningless".
"Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faaltu hai kumbh," he said.
The BJP hit back at Prasad, saying his mindset had exposed the RJD's mindset towards the Hindu religion.
"He is making such comments due to his politics of appeasement. The RJD leaders have always insulted the religious sentiments of Hindus. The latest statement of Lalu Prasad calling the Maha Kumbh meaningless exposes the party's mindset towards the Hindu religion," Bihar BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma said.
Bihar goes to assembly elections later this year, and the saffron party is likely to corner the opposition over Prasad's remarks on Kumbhmela.
