The BBC also claimed to have uncovered evidence of stampedes and fatalities at least four locations within the Kumbh area on Mauni Amavasya.
Following the release of the findings, numerous opposition leaders responded, demanding that the government clarify the actual death toll.
On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav, president of the Samajwadi Party, accused the state government of deceiving the public about the death figures, asserting that those who provided ‘false statistics’ are unworthy of public trust.
On X, he stated, “Fact vs Truth: 37 vs 82. This report signifies not the conclusion, but the start of a quest for the comprehensive truth surrounding the deaths at the Maha Kumbh and the finances involved.
“As truths emerge, layers of deception will be stripped away, revealing every guise and facade, lifting the shrouds. No effort in misinformation management can prevent this truth from surfacing.”
तथ्य बनाम सत्य : 37 बनाम 82
सब देखें, सुनें, जानें-समझें और साझा करें। सत्य की केवल पड़ताल नहीं, उसका प्रसार भी उतना ही ज़रूरी होता है।भाजपा आत्म-मंथन करे और भाजपाई भी और साथ ही उनके समर्थक भी कि जो लोग किसी की मृत्यु के लिए झूठ बोल सकते हैं, वो झूठ के किस पाताल-पर्वत पर चढ़कर… pic.twitter.com/7vMg0o8kEo
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) June 10, 2025
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also voiced concerns regarding the discrepancy in the reported death toll. She noted on X, “At least 82 individuals lost their lives in the Kumbh stampede. This number far surpasses the 37 fatalities reported by the UP government.”
In reaction to the BBC’s findings, the All India Trinamool Congress launched a fierce critique of the BJP, labeling the report a ‘Massive exposé!’
“A @BBCHindi investigation has exposed that the real death toll from the Kumbh stampede stands at 82, rather than the 37 claimed by CM @myogiadityanath. The BJP is politicizing the deceased. They concealed the actual death count to safeguard their reputation and mask their CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE,” it asserted.
Massive exposé!
A @BBCHindi investigation has unveiled that the actual death toll from the Kumbh stampede was 82, not the 37 claimed by CM @myogiadityanath.Here’s what @BJP4India’s cover-up has cost:
???????? 26 families received only partial compensation
???????? 19 families received nothing… pic.twitter.com/Z3kekbUfp1— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) June 10, 2025
In a March post on X, the official Maha Kumbh handle reported, “Mahakumbh Mela – During an incident on Mauni Amavasya at the Sangam banks in 2025, 30 individuals, along with 7 others found with visible injuries, sadly lost their lives.”
महाकुम्भ मेला- 2025 में मौनी अमावस्या पर संगम तट पर हुई घटना के दौरान 30 लोगों और अन्य स्थानों पर 7 लोगों, जिनके शरीर पर जाहिरा चोटें पायी गयी थी, की दुःखद मृत्यु हुई थी।
माननीय मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ जी की घोषणा के अनुसार 37 में से 35 मृतकों के आश्रितों के बैंक खातों में…— Mahakumbh (@MahaKumbh_2025) March 26, 2025
The 45-day Maha Kumbh Mela commenced on January 13 with the Paush Purnima and culminated on February 26 during Maha Shivratri.
