Yogi Adityanath Declares Sangam Water Safe for Drinking at Maha Kumbh, Rejects Faecal Bacteria Report
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sparked a heated debate by claiming that the Sangam water in Prayagraj, where millions are taking holy dips during the Maha Kumbh, is not only safe for bathing but also fit for drinking. Speaking in the state Assembly on February 19, 2025, he dismissed a recent Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report that raised alarms about high levels of faecal coliform bacteria in the Ganga, calling it “propaganda” aimed at maligning the sacred event. If you’re following the news or planning to visit Prayagraj, this is big!
Adityanath said over 56.25 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip at the Sangam during this Maha Kumbh, which happens once every 144 years. He praised the arrangements, noting that celebrities and leaders who bathed there were impressed. “When we make baseless allegations or show fake videos against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, India, or the Maha Kumbh, it’s like playing with the faith of these 56 crore people,” he said, defending the event’s sanctity and the government’s efforts.
The CM backed his claim with data from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPCB), stating that the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the Ganga is below 3 mg/litre, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) has improved to around 9 mg/litre from 5 mg/litre. According to him, these figures show the water is clean enough for both bathing and the ritual of aachman (drinking holy water). However, the CPCB’s standard says faecal coliform should not exceed 2,500 units per 100 ml, and their report suggested otherwise, causing concern among environmentalists and the public.
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Adityanath didn’t hold back in criticizing the opposition, targeting leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mamata Banerjee. He recalled Yadav calling the Kumbh “faltu” (useless) and Banerjee labeling it “Mrityu Kumbh” (death fair) after a tragic stampede on January 29, 2025, that killed 30 people, mostly women and children, during the Mauni Amavasya dip. “If organizing events related to Sanatana Dharma is a crime, then our government will keep committing that crime,” he declared, showing his firm stance.
This controversy comes as the Maha Kumbh, a major spiritual gathering, draws huge crowds to Prayagraj. Posts on X show mixed reactions—some support Adityanath’s confidence, while others question the safety of the water based on the CPCB findings. The debate touches on faith, science, and politics, making it a hot topic online and in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
