Ajay Kumar, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh is currently immersed in the spirit of Maha Kumbh. Everywhere, the atmosphere is the same. Some feel blessed after taking a holy dip, while others eagerly await their turn. People are making their way to Prayagraj, the city of confluence, as per their convenience.
The city is witnessing a massive gathering of saints and seers, along with an ever-increasing number of devotees. Those visiting Maha Kumbh do not miss the opportunity to earn the spiritual merit of visiting Baba Vishwanath in Varanasi and Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. By the final holy bath of Maha Kumbh, the number of devotees reaching Prayagraj will be twice the population of the state. This is a world record, which, if ever broken, will happen only in another Kumbh. The Yogi government and the administration are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the smooth execution of this grand event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remains on high alert for even the slightest developments in the Maha Kumbh area. His entire cabinet frequently visits Prayagraj to oversee the arrangements. The most notable aspect is that devotees are praising Chief Minister Yogi more than even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, which carries significant political implications. From the perspective of Hindutva, Yogi has now become the most popular leader in the BJP, even surpassing Prime Minister Modi.
Despite unfortunate incidents such as a fire in the Maha Kumbh area and a stampede on the biggest bathing day, Mouni Amavasya, which claimed the lives of around ten devotees, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were visibly distressed. However, the situation was swiftly brought under control, and devotees, including saints, continued their holy baths without disruption.
The allure of Maha Kumbh and the desire to take a dip in the sacred confluence is strong not only among followers of Sanatan Dharma but also among people worldwide who are drawn to Prayagraj to experience this grand event and learn more about Sanatan traditions. Significantly, even leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, who are staunch political opponents of Yogi and the BJP, were compelled to visit. However, Akhilesh did not miss the opportunity to make political statements. He recalled that when the Samajwadi Party was in power, they successfully organized the Kumbh despite limited resources, citing studies and even Harvard University’s acknowledgment of it. He also praised Azam Khan, the then Urban Development Minister, for his role in making the 2013 Kumbh a memorable event.
Responding to Akhilesh’s visit, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya remarked that Akhilesh had finally come around and expressed hope that he would refrain from making statements that hurt religious sentiments. Maurya emphasized that the Maha Kumbh symbolizes unity in diversity and advised those still mentally opposed to it, including leaders from the Samajwadi Party and Congress, to cleanse their minds by taking a dip. Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar pointed out the irony of leaders who once criticized the Kumbh now participating in it, calling it a testament to the Constitution’s values.
While Akhilesh took a political dig at the Yogi government regarding the arrangements at Maha Kumbh, the Congress went a step further and questioned the very significance of the event. While around 9.5 million devotees take a dip daily in Prayagraj, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the “Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan” rally in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh 925 kilometers away questioned whether bathing in the Ganga eradicates poverty or provides food to the hungry. Intellectuals argue that Congress neither understands Hindu traditions nor acknowledges the employment opportunities generated by Maha Kumbh. There is a growing concern among non-BJP leaders that Maha Kumbh might disrupt their long-standing strategy of dividing Hindus for political gains.
At present, Prayagraj is witnessing an overwhelming atmosphere of Hindutva, transcending caste divisions. Addressing Kharge’s remarks, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath provided a fitting response, reiterating that a visiting devotee contributes significantly to the economy. Every visitor utilizes trains, buses, taxis, or planes, stays in hotels, tents, or guest houses, dines at restaurants, and shops in the city. On average, each visitor spends around ₹5,000. With an estimated 400 million devotees expected to visit Maha Kumbh, it is projected to contribute ₹2 lakh crore to the state and national economy. Yogi emphasized that Maha Kumbh is a model of faith, modernity, and cleanliness.
Within the BJP, the grand success of Maha Kumbh has further solidified Yogi Adityanath’s stature as the party’s most prominent Hindutva face. Any internal opposition to him within the party has significantly subsided. Compared to his position in 2017 when Modi and Shah handpicked him for the Chief Minister’s post Yogi has now established himself as an unchallenged leader in Uttar Pradesh. Keshav Prasad Maurya, once considered a strong contender for the Chief Ministerial post before the 2017 assembly elections, now fully acknowledges Yogi’s leadership and refrains from any opposition. It is highly likely that the BJP will contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections under Yogi’s leadership, as he remains the RSS’s top choice. Some even speculate that Yogi could be projected as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 general elections. This is the political capital Yogi has amassed.
Several prominent Union Ministers, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, have already taken a dip in the Maha Kumbh and praised the event. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit on 10 February, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive on 5 February.
