Adequate safety measures against terrorattacks and stampedes should be put in place at the 2015 Kumbh Melain Nashik by the government, says a public interest litigation (PIL)filed in the Bombay high court recently. The PIL says that during thelast Kumbh Mela at Nashik in 2003, 29 devotees lost their lives and118 suffered injuries due to "insufficient infrastructure". Thenext Kumbh Mela, which happens once in 12 years, is scheduled fromJuly 2015 at Nashik.
What is the main demand put forth in the plea, and why?
Sufficient police force and CCTVcameras should be put in place, says the PIL filed by the right-wingorganisation Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. To bolster its claim, the PIL lists thevarious attacks on Hindu temples across the country, such as the 2002attack on the Raghunath temple in Jammu that killed 25, and the 2002attack on Akshardham temple in Gujarat where 30 were killed. BodhGaya, among the holiest places for Buddhists, witnessed ten serialbomb blasts in July 2013. In December 2010, at Varanasi, a blast wascarried out during sunset aarti."Thus, it can be seen that targetedattacks on Hindu temples and festivals are growing. Even for the 2014Puri Rathyatra in Odisha, news were published that the intelligenceinputs had warned of possible terrorist attacks," adds the PIL.
What about land and infrastructurefor the 2015 Kumbh?
The PIL prays that the authoritiesconcerned should be directed to release necessary funds and acquirethe land required for the 2015 Kumbh Mela. The PIL is likely to comeup for hearing after two weeks.The PIL alleges that authoritiesconcerned have not geared up to handle the one-crore-strong crowdwhich is expected this time. "The respondents have not providedsufficient funds and required land for the Kumbh Mela among otherthings," alleges the PIL.The PIL also estimates the expenditurefor 2015-16 Kumbh Mela at Rs. 4,105 crores.
What happened during the 2003 Kumbh?
In 2003, the devotees faceddifficulties like incessant rains causing floods and epidemics in theKumbh residential areas such as Sadhu Gram. Many tents in Sadhugramwere submerged in the flood. Also, there were not sufficient tentsfor ascetics and pilgrims. The PIL claims that the preparation forthe 2003 Kumbh Mela started in July 2002 with insufficient funds andstaff and no proper studies were made. "When the stampede had takenplace at Nashik, no proper control was exercised as all the officersof the Respondents were busy for preparation of celebrations atTrimbakeshwar. Thus, because of inadequate planning and control thestampede had taken place claiming 29 lives," reads the PIL.
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