Jail inmates in 75 Uttar Pradesh districts had the opportunity to bathe in waters from the Sangam in a unique opportunity to partake in the Mahakumbh, which is has been billed as the greatest festival of Sanatan.
Three days ago, it started with the jail in Unnao. Jail officials emptied water from the Sangam into a large tank filled with regular water. What added to the festive feel were the rose petals mixed in it and a garlands of marigold circling the boundary of the tank. Prisoners then rushed towards the well to dip in their mugs and pour water over themselves amidst chants of ‘Jai Ganga Maiyya’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’.
It is believed that even a drop of water from holy rivers, when mixed with normal water, transforms it to have the same cleansing and purifying properties. Such water is now also delivered by India Post and some private logistics players, just as prasad from prominent shrines is.
The Unnao example was then followed by other jails.
Though there had been much hue and cry before Mahakumbh about not permitting Muslims to either work in the temporary city or bathe in the confluence, in the jails of UP there was no discrimination. Jail officials have said that Muslim inmates have participated in the bathing with as much enthusiasm.
Dara Singh Chauhan, the minister of jails, said that this was a first of its kind initiative in the country.
From numerous jails, there were also reports of prisoners creating art work to commemorate the occasion. They also took pledges to live a life of service and asked for forgiveness for their past sins.
This move has elicited overwhelmingly positive response on social media. Users have suggested that the government export this water around the world. Some suggested that the practice should be adopted, at least, in all BJP ruled states.
However, others had a sarcastic take on the matter chiming in that now that the prisoners had been cleansed of all their sins, they should be released.
There are some 90,000 prisoners in various jails in the state. UP has 75 jails of which seven are central jails. One of the state’s biggest jails is in Naini in Prayagraj, built by the British.