Events like the Kumbh Mela should be for the common people, and VVIPs should refrain from attending to avoid causing inconvenience to the general public, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor remarked on Sunday. His comments came days after a stampede at the religious gathering in Prayagraj claimed the lives of over 30 individuals.
“I was invited by a friend of mine, who is a minister in the government, to visit the Kumbh. I could have availed of VVIP facilities, but I refused the offer. You would be aware of the recent events at the Kumbh, in which several people lost their lives. I believe events like the Kumbh should be for the common man, and VVIPs should avoid visiting them to prevent inconvenience to the general public,” the Congress MP said at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
On January 29, a stampede broke at the Kumbh Mela, as millions of people flocked to the ghats to take a holy dip. Congress had blamed ‘VIP culture’ for the unfortunate incident, targeting the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP administration.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged, “Poor management and prioritising VIP movement over ordinary pilgrims is responsible for this tragic incident.”. “VIP culture should be checked and better arrangements must be made for the pilgrims,” he added. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed the same, among other leaders.
Following the stampede, the Maha Kumbh area was declared a no-vehicle zone, VVIP passes were cancelled as the government imposed several crowd management measures.
At the Literature Festival, Tharoor further commented that some individuals have reduced Hinduism to “a team identity akin to that of British football hooligans,” who resort to violence when others don’t support their chosen team.
“In Hinduism, God is Nirguna and formless, similar to Islam. Hinduism is not about declaring “Jai Shri Ram” as the right thing to say and beating those who don’t. However, over time, people felt the need for a form to worship, leading to the evolution of the concept of Saguna God. Today, we see God even in the form of a large figure with the face of an elephant sitting on a mouse. Hinduism is diverse and does not impose any single form or method,” he pointed out.
Sharing the stage with Spanish writer Francesc Miralles, co-author of the global bestseller Ikigai, Tharoor discussed the concept of Purushartha–the four goals of human life–as well as different forms of Hinduism.