January 31, New Delhi Dhirendra Shastri, the chief priest of Bageshwar Dham, said on Friday that the Maha Kumbh catastrophe was a “planned and sponsored” plot to damage Hindutva’s reputation.

Speaking to IANS in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, he described the situation as heartbreaking, awful, and unthinkable.

He said that there was a bigger plan to sabotage Hindutva’s reputation, even though he acknowledged that crowding was one of the causes of the stampede that left 30 people dead and over 60 wounded.

The Uttar Pradesh administration was criticized by the opposition shortly after the stampede for its poor crowd control and VIP culture.

The Uttar Pradesh administration implemented new steps to improve crowd control after the stampede that occurred early on Wednesday.

The government has halted unnecessary limitations on the pontoon bridges that link Mela City, canceled VIP permits, enhanced security deployment, and limited the flow of vehicles.

Until February 4, busses and four-wheelers from outside Prayagraj are not permitted admission.

A three-person judicial commission was established after the tragedy to investigate the cause of the stampede.

At around 1 pm on Friday, members of the Judicial Enquiry Commission would arrive in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has promised Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the relatives of those killed in the stampede.

In addition, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Supreme Court on Thursday, requesting legal action against officials and authorities for their “negligent conduct” in the wake of the catastrophic stampede during the Maha Kumbh.

According to the petition, the tragedy shows the terrible state and destiny of people as a result of the government officials’ alleged incompetence, carelessness, and complete failure of administration.