Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday took a holy dip at the Sangam here, but emphasized that an amiable word, goodwill and tolerance should arise from the Maha Kumbh.
It cannot be a destination for negative politics as he severely criticized the handling of the event by the Bharatiya Janata Party government on the first Sunday of the Snan, however adding that this Kumbh must not also be converted to "sports".
Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet colleagues were seen splashing water on each other after a holy dip at the Sangam following a Cabinet meet.
The BJP took a swipe at Yadav, suggesting the SP chief would hopefully find peace after the holy bath and desist from hurting religious sentiments of people with his comments. The ruling party asked other SP and Congress leaders to take a cue from him and visit the Maha Kumbh.
On the occasion of Republic Day, I have come to participate in the Maha Kumbh… I got the opportunity to take 11 dips in the Sangam as per the tradition. This Maha Kumbh is being witnessed after 144 years," Yadav said.
"Kumbh should send a positive message… that there should be harmony and goodwill and everyone should keep moving forward with tolerance. We take a pledge for people's welfare," he said while talking to reporters.
The unique beauty of Kumbh lies in the confluence of three rivers and its spiritual significance. People are drawn to this sacred event purely out of faith, without the need for advertisements or invitation, he said.
Yadav said several additional facilities could have been provided from the funds allocated for the Maha Kumbh and visitors, especially the elderly, are facing difficulties as they have to travel long distances.
He said despite limited funds, the previous SP government successfully organised the Kumbh Mela.
"For the BJP people, I have to say that if you come to Kumbh, then bathe with humility. People come here for virtue and charity, not for water sports," Yadav told reporters.
Responding to Yadav's visit to Kumbh Mela, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya in a post on X said, "Akhilesh Yadav ji, better late than never.". After taking a dip in river Ganga in Haridwar and at Maha Kumbh bath, it is hoped that you will now refrain from making statements that hurt religious sentiments." "The speciality of the Maha Kumbh is 'unity in diversity'. Those SP and Congress leaders who are still suffering from mental and visual impairment regarding the Maha Kumbh may or may not get treatment, but they must definitely take the Maha Kumbh bath," he added.
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, "It is hoped that the mind of Akhilesh Yadav will cool down after the Sangam bath." Yadav, who had been making "negative and baseless" remarks on Kumbh, would now perhaps talk something positive about the grandeur and divinity of the event, said Tripathi.
Yadav had taken a dip in the Ganga river in Haridwar on Makar Sankranti.
When asked if he was going to attend Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, Yadav replied during the month earlier that he always attended the religious congregation.
"Some people go bathe in Ganga to acquire punya', some people go to give daan' and some people go to wash off their paap' (sins). We are going for punya' and 'daan,' he told reporters.
In 2019, Yadav took a dip at Prayagraj during Ardha Kumbh.
Till late Sunday afternoon, 1.17 crore people took a dip in the Sangam, according to the latest official figures provided by the Uttar Pradesh government.
So far, 11.47 crore people have visited the Maha Kumbh after it started on January 13.