The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed over a dozen First Information Reports (FIRs) against 140 social media accounts for spreading “misleading content” related to the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
“Mahakumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that 13 FIRs have been registered against these 140 social media handles,” he told ANI. The state’s police social media cell has been closely monitoring online platforms, especially after objectionable videos of women pilgrims bathing at the Triveni Sangam were circulated.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna says, "13 FIRs have been registered against 140 social media handles that shared misleading content…Today, more than one crore people have taken a holy dip. Complete arrangements have been made for the upcoming… pic.twitter.com/3dFOe6fo5e
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2025
There have been individuals attempting to defame the prestigious Mahakumbh event by circulating false and misleading content with the intent of tarnishing its image. This has been an ongoing issue, with similar attempts to discredit the event surfacing even a week prior. Uttar Pradesh authorities have remained vigilant and proactive, ensuring that such attempts do not disrupt the sanctity of the Mahakumbh. The government has consistently taken swift action against those responsible for spreading misleading content. With a firm commitment to preserving the event’s integrity, the authorities are closely monitoring social media platforms and will continue to act against anyone attempting to undermine the grand occasion.
On February 13, 2025, two misleading videos were flagged during routine social media monitoring. One video, falsely claimed to be from the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, was actually from Egypt, and the other was from Patna.
Misrepresentation of Egypt Fire Incident: One of the videos circulating on social media falsely claimed that a massive fire had occurred at the Mahakumbh bus stand, destroying 40-50 vehicles. In reality, the footage was from a 2020 pipeline fire in Cairo. Legal action was initiated against seven social media accounts, including India With Congress (@UWCforYouth) on X, for spreading this misinformation. An FIR was registered at the Kotwali Kumbh Mela police station against the accounts responsible for this false claim.
Patna Event Misrepresented: Another video circulating on social media falsely claimed that “nationalist people threw slippers at army jawans at the Kumbh.” In reality, the footage was from a chaotic scene at the trailer launch event for the movie Pushpa 2: The Rule in Patna. The police have taken action against 15 social media accounts responsible for spreading this fake news.
On February 7, a Facebook account posted a misleading video that misrepresented a crowd management measure as a stampede. Then, on February 9, fourteen accounts circulated a video from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, falsely alleging that Uttar Pradesh Police were assaulting pilgrims in search of their missing relatives.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have emphasised their commitment to maintaining the sanctity and security of the Mahakumbh. They have warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals or groups attempting to defame the event or spread misinformation. The public is urged to rely on official sources for accurate information and to refrain from sharing unverified content.
Fully Prepared for Shivratri
With a large number of devotees expected to attend the Mahakumbh on February 26, the final day coinciding with Maha Shivratri, DIG Krishna assured that “complete arrangements” have been made for the festival.
“Efforts will be made to ensure there are no traffic jams within the Mahakumbh area. All arrangements will be executed smoothly, and regardless of the crowd size, we are fully prepared,” he stated.
62 Crore Pilgrims at Mahakumbh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reported that 62 crore pilgrims have already taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The state’s information department revealed that nearly 8.7 million (87 lakh) people bathed at the Sangam on February 23. The Mahakumbh, which began on January 13, continues to draw millions of devotees.
Crowd Control Measures at Ayodhya Dham
Authorities at the Ayodhya Dham railway station have implemented strict crowd control measures to ensure smooth management and safety during the Mahakumbh. “We have heightened alertness ahead of the ‘snan’ on Maha Shivratri. Additional security personnel have been deployed, bringing the total to over 350. Barricades have been set up, and a holding area is in place to manage passengers,” said DSP Yashwant Singh.
“We are making regular announcements to keep passengers informed about their trains. Entry is allowed only once their train arrives at the platform, ensuring that the number of passengers on the platform does not exceed its capacity. All arrangements are in place for a smooth experience,” he added.
