Akhilesh Yadav Requests For Extension Of Maha Kumbh As Millions Of Devotees Flock Congregation

While alleging that the Yogi Adityanath government “under-reported” the turnout at the Maha Kumbh, Yadav said at a press conference,"By now, 600 million people (60 crores) must have taken a bath, but the government is not disclosing the actual number. They are deliberately underreporting figures so that, in the future, if someone studies the administrative or management aspects, their failures and mismanagement will be exposed."

"There are many elderly people--those above sixty-five or seventy years--who have not been able to take a bath. They wished to participate in religious programs, but due to various reasons, they couldn't. At one time, the Kumbh used to last seventy-five days. During Emperor Harshavardhana's time, it was even longer, attracting people from all religions and distant places. So, we demand the government extend it," ANI quoted the former UP chief minister as saying.

Highlighting logistical challenges, he pointed to traffic congestion and the risk of stampedes as key reasons for elderly devotees missing the event. He also slammed the government for failing to use drone technology effectively.