Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, accused the Uttar Pradesh government of suppressing the real death toll in the Maha Kumbh stampede. He cited a BBC investigative report that claimed 82 people lost their lives, far exceeding the official figure of 37.

Taking to social media platform X, Mr Gandhi said the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh had erased the poor from statistics, much like during the COVID-19 pandemic, and after major railway accidents.

BBC report reveals that figures of deaths in Kumbh Mela stampede were hidden. Like in COVID, the bodies of the poor were erased from the statistics. Like after every major railway accident, the truth is suppressed, he wrote in his post.

He added, This is the BJP model — if there is no counting of the poor, then there is no accountability either.

BBC report contradicts official toll

The BBC report in question alleges that the actual number of deaths from the stampede at the Kumbh Mela on January 29 was at least 82, based on interviews with hospital staff, eyewitnesses, and local officials. The official record, however, still reflects only 37 casualties, raising suspicions of a cover-up by the state administration.

Akhilesh Yadav echoes criticism

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav also cited the same BBC report and launched a strong attack on the ruling party.

Those who provide false statistics are not worthy of public trust, Mr Yadav posted on X, pointing to a pattern of data manipulation by the BJP government in times of crisis and disaster.

Political fallout expected

The allegations have sparked political controversy in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, especially with the opposition intensifying its attacks ahead of future elections. The Kumbh Mela, being a religious event with massive public participation, holds significant cultural and political importance. Any attempt to manipulate or hide casualty figures can have major electoral consequences.

Comparisons to COVID and rail accidents

Rahul Gandhi’s post makes sharp comparisons between the Kumbh stampede, the underreporting of COVID-19 fatalities, and recent railway disasters. He accused the BJP of using the same playbook of denial and cover-up, especially when poor and marginalised sections are affected.

He framed the issue as systemic and ideological, stating that the BJP model runs on erasing the poor from records so that there is no moral or administrative responsibility.

No official response yet from UP govt

As of now, there has been no official statement from the Uttar Pradesh government responding to the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi or Akhilesh Yadav. However, BJP sources have indicated that the government may refute the BBC report, calling it misleading and politically motivated.

Past incidents of data suppression alleged

This is not the first time the BJP government has faced accusations of hiding casualty figures. During the second wave of COVID-19, multiple media reports and NGOs pointed to a huge mismatch between actual and reported death figures, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Additionally, after the Balasore train accident in Odisha in 2023, there were claims that the death toll was underreported, though no formal inquiry confirmed the allegations.

Rahul Gandhi sharpens opposition narrative

By raising this issue publicly, Rahul Gandhi seems to be sharpening the Congress’s opposition narrative ahead of the 2025 winter session and state elections. His consistent messaging on transparency, accountability, and justice for the poor is being positioned as a counterweight to the BJP’s development claims.

The Congress has indicated that it may raise the issue in Parliament, and even push for a judicial probe into the alleged cover-up if the government does not clarify the figures.

Opposition unity growing

The simultaneous comments by both Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav suggest growing coordination between the Congress and Samajwadi Party, potentially signalling broader opposition unity against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

If the claims in the BBC report are substantiated further, it could lead to legal and parliamentary scrutiny of the state government’s handling of crowd control and post-disaster management at the Kumbh Mela.

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