National

Akhilesh Yadav alleges UP government is concealing facts about Mahakumbh stampede, calls for accountability for those at fault.

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2025

Akhilesh Yadav, Chief of the Samajwadi Party and Member of Parliament, strongly criticized the BJP-led government of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday regarding the Mahakumbh stampede. He accused the administration of concealing the truth and manipulating facts related to the incident.

During his address in the Lok Sabha, while discussing the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Yadav called for severe penalties against those accountable for the tragedy and for those who obscured the facts surrounding it.

“There must be strict punitive actions against those accountable for the Mahakumbh tragedy, and those who have hidden the truth must face consequences. We challenge the double-engine government: if there was no wrongdoing, why were the figures concealed, altered, or erased?” he stated.

In a direct rebuke of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Yadav pointed out that the CM had failed to express condolences for the victims, only acknowledging the tragedy after a delay of 17 hours. “The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh did not offer condolences. While both the President and Prime Minister of the country expressed their sympathies, the state government took 17 hours to acknowledge the tragedy. These are individuals who still refuse to accept the truth…” he remarked.

Yadav also condemned the government’s response to the situation, highlighting the UP administration’s bizarre decision to shower flower petals while bodies remained unclaimed in the mortuary. “When it was clear that lives had been lost, and bodies were left in the mortuary and hospital, the government chose to fill its helicopters with flowers and scatter petals. What kind of Sanatani tradition is this?” he questioned.

He further alleged that efforts were being made to obscure the reality of the situation, suggesting that significant amounts of clothing and personal belongings were removed from the scene using heavy machinery, with their final disposal unknown. “Only God knows how many slippers, clothes, and sarees were left behind; they were collected with JCBs and tractor trolleys, and no one knows where they ended up. There are whispers of pressure and incentives being used to prevent the truth from emerging…” he claimed.

Calling for transparency from the government, the SP Chief advocated for an all-party meeting to clarify the arrangements made for the Mahakumbh and proposed that the Army take charge of disaster management and the operation of lost and found centers.

“While the government is consistently presenting budget figures, we also demand to know the number of fatalities from the Maha Kumbh. An all-party meeting should be convened to explain the arrangements pertained to Maha Kumbh. The responsibility for disaster management and lost and found centers during the Maha Kumbh should be entrusted to the Army.

The statistics regarding the deaths from the catastrophic event, the treatment of the injured, and the availability of essential services like medical care, food, water, and transport should be disclosed in Parliament. For the Mahakumbh tragedy, there must be strict punitive measures against those responsible, and those who have concealed the truth should be held accountable. We question the double-engine government: if there was no guilt, then why were the figures suppressed and erased?” he concluded.

National

West Bengal Man Detained in Bengaluru over Alleged Terror Links

Published

8 hours ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.

The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.

According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.

Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.

Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.

Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.

Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.

The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.

The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.

National

Google Marks India’s Independence Day With Vibrant Doodle

Published

15 hours ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Mangaluru: India is celebrating its Independence Day on August 15, 2026. Google has joined the celebrations with a special Doodle on its homepage.

The colourful Doodle reflects India’s rich culture and heritage. It features patterns inspired by traditional Indian textiles.

The artwork replaces the usual Google logo with bright colours and traditional motifs. It gives the familiar logo a distinct Indian look.

The Doodle also highlights India’s cultural diversity. Its detailed designs are inspired by India’s traditional art and textile heritage.

India became independent from British rule on August 15, 1947. The day is celebrated across the country with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, parades and other patriotic events.

Kite flying and cultural activities are also part of the Independence Day celebrations in many parts of the country.

India gained independence on August 15, 1947, after nearly two centuries of British rule.

The freedom struggle involved the sacrifices of millions of Indians. Several prominent leaders and freedom fighters played important roles in the movement.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh are among the prominent figures associated with India’s freedom struggle.

As the nation celebrates Independence Day, Google’s special Doodle adds a colourful digital tribute to India’s history, culture and national spirit.

National

India Celebrates Independence Day with Focus on Viksit Bharat

Published

16 hours ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: India celebrates Independence Day on August 15, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.

The ceremony highlighted 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. The event also focused on the power of the youth, or Yuva Shakti.

Prime Minister Modi stressed the vision of building a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047. He called on the youth to play a key role In achieving this goal.

For the first time in the history of the Red Fort celebrations, Vande Mataram was officially rendered during the ceremony.

Prime Minister Modi appeared in a traditional tie-and-dye red turban. He paired it with a white kurta and a chocolate-brown jacket.

The celebrations followed the traditional state protocol. The national flag was hoisted at the Red Fort. A 21-gun salute was also given.

A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented to the Prime Minister. He later addressed the nation from the Red Fort.

The 2026 Independence Day celebrations combined India’s historic legacy with a strong message for the future. The focus remained on youth power and the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.