"They are all political in nature": Fmr V-P Naidu on "Mrityu kumbh" remarks

On CM Mamata Banerjee's 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark for Maha Kumbh2025, Naidu told ANI on Tuesday, "I don't want to make any comment on such political statements. They are all political in nature. I am not in politics and moreover this is not the occasion to settle political scores. Everybody should join, take part in this holy occasion and then pray for the welfare of the people, humanity and nation."

BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh said that the West Bengal CM was only looking at appeasement.

"The Chief Minister of a state of the country calls the great festival of Sanatan Dharma as 'Mrityu Kumbh'... Her (Mamata Banerjee) problem is that, at this time, she is seeing an obstacle in her politics of appeasement," he said.

BJP leader Aparna Yadav said, "I feel very sad to hear such things, that too when you have connections with a big political party... You can do politics, but doing anti-religion politics will not benefit anyone. Whether it is Mamata ji or any opposition party, how long will they keep mocking Sanatan Dharma and tradition? I want to say one more thing: a large number of people have come from West Bengal to Maha Kumbh, which cannot be counted. Secondly, this does not suit her... I think that Mamata ji should avoid such anti-religious talk. Despite being such a big politician, if she makes fun of religion, Sanatan and culture, then I think she has hurt the faith of so many lakhs of people, such a thing was not expected from her."

Earlier, during her address in the State Legislative, the West Bengal CM caused a heated controversy by referring to the Mahakumbh as "Mrityukumbh".

She strongly criticised the organisers for the inadequate arrangements resulting in stampedes on January 29 in Prayagraj and on February 15 at New Delhi Railway station.

Her statement sparked protests led by Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP MLAs in the West Bengal State Assembly. The group raised slogans and voiced their opposition to the remarks made by the CM.

Adhikari appealed to the Hindu and saint communities on Tuesday to register a strong protest. He said, "I appeal to the Hindu community, saint community to register a strong protest. A little while ago, on the Floor of the House (State Assembly), West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that this is not Maha Kumbh but 'Mrityu Kumbh'. Raise your voice against this attack on Hinduism, on Maha Kumbh."

Meanwhile, former Union Railway Minister and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav responded to a question regarding crowd management for the Maha Kumbh on Sunday, stating, "Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faaltu hai kumbh (Kumbh has no meaning. Kumbh is useless)."(ANI)