Amidst the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, certain elements have been attempting to spread panic by circulating misleading content on social media. The Uttar Pradesh Police have actively countered these attempts, identifying and taking legal action against those responsible for disseminating fake news.
According to authorities, unrelated videos and images are being falsely linked to Maha Kumbh to create unnecessary fear among devotees and the general public. The latest incident involves a viral video from Bangladesh that was misleadingly posted online, claiming to depict the challenging journey of devotees trying to reach the Kumbh Mela.
बांग्लादेश में व्लॉगर द्वारा “ट्रेन सर्फिंग” के दौरान बनाए गए वीडियो को भ्रामक रूप से महाकुम्भ जाने का अन्तिम तरीका बताकर अफवाह फैलाने वाले अभी तक चिन्हित 31 सोशल मीडिया अकाउंट के विरुद्ध कुम्भ मेला पुलिस द्वारा FIR पंजीकृत करके वैधानिक कार्यवाही की जा रही है।… pic.twitter.com/1wTx6UMuLb
— Kumbh Mela Police UP 2025 (@kumbhMelaPolUP) February 23, 2025
In response to this misinformation campaign, the Kumbh Mela Police have registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against 31 social media accounts involved in spreading false narratives. The accounts circulated a video showing a person lying on a moving train, falsely claiming that devotees were forced to travel on train rooftops as a last resort to reach the sacred event.
Clarifying the matter, the Kumbh Mela Police issued an official statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Legal action is being taken against social media accounts found guilty of misleading the public by falsely associating an old video from Bangladesh with Maha Kumbh. We urge everyone to verify facts before sharing content online.”
Following a thorough investigation, the police discovered that the viral footage was actually recorded by an Indian blogger in 2024 and depicted train surfing in Bangladesh, completely unrelated to Maha Kumbh. Upon confirmation, authorities swiftly initiated action against those responsible for spreading the false claims.
It is important to note that travelling on train rooftops is illegal and highly dangerous. Indian Railways uses 25 KV overhead electric lines to power trains, and any contact with these can result in instant fatal electrocution.
This is not the first instance of misinformation being spread regarding Maha Kumbh. Recently, a video of a burning train went viral, falsely claiming that an accident in Prayagraj had resulted in 300 casualties. Following a police investigation, 34 social media accounts were booked for spreading the hoax.
Similarly, rumours about mass deaths due to heart attacks during the event have also been circulated, prompting police to issue multiple advisories urging citizens to refrain from sharing unverified content.
Authorities have assured the public that strict surveillance is being maintained to prevent any attempts to disrupt the religious gathering. Devotees have been urged to rely on official sources for accurate information and report any suspicious activity related to misinformation campaigns.
