Akhilesh Yadav Claps Back At Yogi's 'Suar' Remark, Slams UP Govt Over Mahakumbh Stampede, Ganga Pollution

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of disrespecting those searching for their missing loved ones after the Maha Kumbh stampede by referring to them as "vultures."

Yadav also took a swipe at the Chief Minister for questioning the Centre's pollution report on Prayagraj's waters, suggesting that the matter appeared to be a conflict between "Delhi and Lucknow."

Photo Credit: PTI

He was responding to a remark made by Yogi Adityanath in the state assembly, where the CM stated, "vultures got dead bodies, pigs got dirt, devotees got God," in reference to the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Speaking to reporters in Kannauj, Yadav said, "Even now, many people are searching for their loved ones-brothers, children, and parents (lost in the Maha Kumbh stampede last month). Some are still missing. Is the Chief Minister calling these grieving families vultures? This is the height of insensitivity from someone holding a constitutional position."

He further pointed out the irony of the Chief Minister's statement, given that Yogi Adityanath is in the process of establishing a vulture breeding centre in Gorakhpur.

Akhilesh Yadav on Ganga Pollution

Yadav also appeared to highlight a disagreement between the BJP-led central government and the Uttar Pradesh administration over the pollution levels in the Ganga River.

He noted that while the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had declared the river water clean, both the Central Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal had raised concerns about high levels of faecal coliform in the water.

"He is speaking of 'suar' (pigs). None of us said that the quality of water in the Ganga is bad-the Central Pollution Control Board said that. So, who was the government calling 'suar'? I think, in the fight between Delhi and Lucknow, they are abusing each other. If the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Board is saying that the water is clean and Delhi's Pollution Board says that the water is bad, it means Lucknow was calling Delhi 'suar'," Yadav remarked.

The Samajwadi Party leader also criticised the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for its alleged mismanagement, which he blamed for the stampede. He questioned what the Chief Minister had been overseeing when the tragic incident took place.

"The loss of lives and chaos in Maha Kumbh is proof of his government's failure," he said, further demanding an official list of those who had died or were still missing following the stampede.