New Delhi: A viral video on social media ignited a controversy, allegedly showing a Uttar Pradesh police officer mixing ash into food being prepared for a community feast (Bhandara) for devotees during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The video shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), prompted swift action.
The Soraon Station House Officer (SHO), Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, was immediately suspended following an investigation based on a report from the ACP Soraon. DCP (Ganga Nagar) Kuldeep Singh Gunawat confirmed the suspension and stated that departmental proceedings are underway.
“Taking cognizance of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) has suspended the Soraon SHO based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway,” the official account of DCP Ganga Nagar posted.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav also shared the video, criticising the incident and suggesting political motives behind it. He urged the public to take notice of what he described as a shameful act.
“It is unfortunate that the good efforts of those who are making arrangements to provide food and water to those stranded at the Maha Kumbh are being scuttled due to political animosity. The public should take notice!” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
ये दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है कि जो लोग महाकुंभ में फँसे लोगों के लिए भोजन-पानी की व्यवस्था कर रहे है उनके सद्प्रयासों के ऊपर राजनीतिक विद्वेषवश मिट्टी डाल दी जा रही है।
जनता संज्ञान ले! pic.twitter.com/LTwwKbBwO5
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 30, 2025
The incident comes just days after tragedy struck the Kumbh Mela earlier this week when a stampede at the Sangam area during the Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan left at least 30 people dead, 60 injured, and several missing.
In the wake of the tragic incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar visited Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital to assess the condition of the injured devotees and ensure adequate medical care.
