I had the opportunity to visit the Maha Kumbh Mela at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where I recorded a special TV show with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. I asked questions relating to all issues that have been raised about Maha Kumbh. The questions ranged from whether the water at Sangam was fit for bathing and drinking, the mode of measurement of the crowds that led to the claim that more than 9 crore pilgrims visited Maha Kumbh in the first week, the arrangements that were made for their food, hygiene and cleanliness.
There was also a question on how much UP would gain from religious tourism by spending Rs 7,500 crore on Maha Kumbh. There were some political questions too, like what was the need to convene a full-fledged Cabinet meeting at Maha Kumbh, whether entry of Muslims to the Kumbh Mela area has been banned, whether his 'Bantogey Toh Katogey' slogan was raised at the Mela? Yogi Adityanath did not evade any questions. He replied to each question, clearly and succinctly.
Several thousand people were watching him speak. The audience was highly enthusiastic. Earlier, police had set up barricades to stop people from approaching the TV stage.
When I saw from the stage, people shouting slogans and waving hands from a distance, I requested Yogi to ask police to allow people to come nearer. Yogi immediately responded and asked the police to allow people to come nearer. The response was electrifying.
Several thousand people began running towards the TV discussion area,.
