After the Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs walked out of the Lok Sabha during the Union Budget presentation, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav raised strong concerns over the government’s priorities. Addressing the media, Yadav emphasized that the tragic loss of lives in the Mahakumbh stampede was far more pressing than the Union Budget details presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
While Sitharaman outlined the government’s plans for India’s economic growth, focusing on agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports, Yadav took the opportunity to criticize the government’s handling of the Mahakumbh event. He stated that the government had failed to report accurate numbers regarding the fatalities, injuries, and those missing due to the stampede at the religious gathering.
“Maha Kumbh occurs once every 12 years, and the data on the number of people who died in the stampede is more important than budget data. The government is falsely reporting the number of deaths. They have failed to make adequate arrangements for the safety of people attending this sacred event,” Yadav stated.
He also questioned the government’s commitment to the welfare of Hindus, stating, “This government claims to be the party of Hindus but failed to ensure safety at the biggest Hindu festival.”
