CM Yogi Adityanath also said the Maha Kumbh was a fine example of unity and a lesson for those who had questioned the congregation.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has addressed two controversies regarding his state at a media event on Saturday with one of them being Opposition leaders condemning his government for stampede that took place during Maha Kumbh Mela in January and further Yogi also supported the remarks of a Sambhal police officer who said that while Holi comes once a year, Friday prayers take place every week.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Adityanath rejected allegations that his government tried to hide deaths in the Maha Kumbh stampede, saying the priority was to help the injured and ensure people who had taken a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya left the Sangam area easily.
He said that once the administration took care of the injured and ensured the pilgrim rush had eased out, it briefed the media.
Reiterating the numbers of dead and injured, Adityanath said that "65 people who were seriously injured were taken to hospital, and unfortunately, 30 succumbed to their injuries and they were handed over to their families."
Adityanath revealed, "We had estimated that around eight crore devotees would participate in the Mauni Amavasya Snan. Additionally, nearly two crore devotees had to be stopped at Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Chitrakoot."
"We had made arrangements in all these places for the devotees, and made arrangements for devotees' commute. We organised bhandaras and for the next 24 hours, 2 crore people were stopped here. Eight crore were in Prayagraj or about to reach Prayagraj. As a responsible government, our priority was that if an unfortunate incident has happened, we have to take the injured to hospital through a green corridor. The injured (from the stampede) were taken to hospitals within 15 minutes," he added.
He said, "apart from expressing grief over the incident, our priority was the safety of the 8 crore devotees".
As many as 30 pilgrims had died in the January 29 stampede.
He also said the Maha Kumbh was a fine example of unity and a lesson for those who had questioned the congregation.
Adityanath supporting the Sambhal Police official said that he may have spoken as a "pehelwan", but what the Arjun awardee said was correct.
The chief minister thanked religious leaders for deciding to hold Friday namaz after 2 pm.
He said namaz could be offered after 2 pm, and people who wish to do so before that can pray at home.
Whoever wants to go to a mosque should mind the Holi colours, he added.
Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhury had said that Holi is a festival that comes once a year, whereas Friday prayers take place 52 times in a year. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the colours of Holi, they should stay indoors on that day.
Holi this year will be celebrated on a Friday (March 15).
The opposition Samajwadi Party has accused the police official of acting as an agent of the BJP.
Sambhal had witnessed communal violence in November last year.