Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, said that making baseless allegations or circulating fake videos against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, India or the Maha Kumbh was like playing with the faith of the crores of people who had taken a holy dip at the ongoing mega religious event in Prayagraj.

Chief Minister Yogi also said that the Sangam water was fit for a dip and alleged propaganda to malign Maha Kumbh after faecal bacteria report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Monday informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that various locations in Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh were not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to the level of faecal coliform.

Speaking in the UP assembly on Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi said, “This event is not organised by any particular party or organisation... This event is of the society, the government is there as a servant to complete its responsibilities... It is our good fortune that our government got the opportunity to associate with the Maha Kumbh of this century... The country and the world have participated in this event and have taken it to new heights of success, ignoring all the false campaigns.”

With seven days left for the Maha Kumbh to end, more than 56 crore devotees have taken a holy dip till Wednesday afternoon, Yogi pointed out.

Offering condolences to the victims of the Maha Kumbh stampede that took place on January 29, Chief Minister Yogi said, “Our sympathies are with all those who were victims of the stampede... and those who lost their lives in road accidents while travelling for Kumbh. Our condolences are with the family members, the government stands with them, the government will help them in every possible way but how appropriate is it to politicise this?”

He assured the House that the government would stand firmly with the affected families and extends all possible assistance. However, he questioned the ethics of politicising such tragic incidents.

Chief Minister Yogi slammed the Samajwadi Party for running a vicious campaign on social media platforms by posting misleading videos and spreading rumours on Maha Kumbh. The chief minister delivered a sharp rebuttal to opposition allegations surrounding Maha Kumbh. Targeting the Samajwadi Party and other opposition leaders, he underscored his point with a couplet – “Bada haseen hai inki zuban ka jadu, lagakar ke aag baharo ki baat karte hain. Jinhone raat mai chun-chun ke bastiyon ko loota, vahi naseebo ke maaro ki baat karte hain”"

He targeted the opposition, criticising their attempts to spread baseless claims and misleading videos targeting Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, India’s faith and the Maha Kumbh. The chief minister asserted that such actions are not just an attack on Sanatan beliefs but a direct affront to the faith of 56 crore devotees and the spiritual essence of India itself.

“The Maha Kumbh is not an event tied to any particular party or government but a grand celebration by the society,” he said, adding that the government’s role is that of a humble facilitator, dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities with utmost sincerity.

“We see ourselves as servants entrusted with this duty and will discharge it with complete commitment. Our deep reverence for India’s eternal traditions makes it our responsibility to honour and uphold them,” he said.

Calling it a privilege for the government to be associated with the Maha Kumbh of the century, the chief minister highlighted how, despite all negative propaganda, the nation and the world embraced the event, elevating it to unprecedented success.

The chief minister also acknowledged assembly member Manoj Pandey for bringing up the issue of misinformation. He pointed out how deliberate attempts were made to spread rumours by falsely linking accidents in Cairo, Nepal, Jharkhand and other places to Maha Kumbh and Jhusi, questioning the motives of those responsible for such misleading narratives.