Akhilesh Yadav Takes Holy Dip At Mahakumbh Triveni Sangam | WATCH Video

In the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. His visit came amid sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in response to his remarks about the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of the event, as reported by ANI.

Akhilesh Yadav Takes Holy Dip At Mahakumbh Triveni Sangam | WATCH Video

Akhilesh's Call for Unity and Better Management

Before immersing himself in the sacred waters, Akhilesh Yadav spoke to the media, stressing that the Mahakumbh's message should be one of unity, not division. "People come here with their personal faith. I took 11 holy dips. There is no place for divisive and negative politics," he remarked.

#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025, Prayagraj | Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "People come here with their personal faith. I took 11 holy dips. There is no place for divisive and negative politics... The day I took a dip at Haridwar - that day was a festival. Today, I got the… pic.twitter.com/FFlSlPbkmo

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025

Reflecting on his past experiences at Haridwar, he emphasized that the event should not be politicized. He also pointed out the lack of proper arrangements for elderly visitors, saying, "Older people who are coming from various places - there should have been management that ensures nobody faces any difficulty," as reported by ANI.

#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav takes a dip at Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Source: Samajwadi Party pic.twitter.com/W8FvosRxzg

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025

Criticism Over Kumbh Budget and Arrangements

Yadav also questioned the Rs 7,500 crore allocated for organizing the Kumbh, suggesting that better use of the funds should have been made to improve arrangements for pilgrims. His comments sparked further debate over the event's management and its impact on the local community.

UP Government's Response to Criticism

In response, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak defended the state government's efforts, assuring that there were indeed good arrangements in place for the Mahakumbh. "Everyone is welcome at the Mahakumbh. There are very good arrangements, everyone is welcome," Pathak stated, addressing concerns over the event's accessibility.

Yogi Adityanath and BJP's Retaliation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined the fray, accusing Akhilesh Yadav of undermining the faith of the people by criticizing the Mahakumbh. He suggested that such statements were disrespectful to the sentiments of millions of devotees, as per India TV reports.

Political Leaders Reflect on Kumbh Traditions

UP Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya also weighed in on Akhilesh's visit, reiterating the importance of the Kumbh tradition. She said, "This is an ancient tradition, every citizen should take a bath. When our Prime Minister, President, and former President are all taking a bath, then why shouldn't Akhilesh ji take a bath? Is he not a resident of this country?" Her comments reinforced the notion of the Kumbh as a unifying event, above politics.

Ongoing Political Debate Surrounding Mahakumbh Mela

As the Mahakumbh Mela continues, the political rhetoric around it intensifies, as per media reports. Figures like Akhilesh Yadav and the BJP continue to exchange strong words, highlighting the deepening political divide over the event's significance and its management.