Only those who actively took part in Maha Kumbh can truly understand its significance: Adityanath

Only those who actively participated in the Maha Kumbh can truly understand its significance, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday and slammed opposition parties for questioning the purity of Ganga water while "failing" to act while in power.

Elaborating on the double-engine government's efforts to clean the Ganga, he told the legislative council that Kanpur was the most critical pollution point for the river before the Namami Gange project was implemented by the Narendra Modi government.

But now, not a single drop of sewage flows into the Ganga from Kanpur, the chief minister told the state's legislative council.

Adityanath had earlier accused the opposition of spreading "misinformation" with their allegation about the water at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati where Maha Kumbh was held recently, being unfit for bathing.

Addressing the House, he provided detailed information on the purity of Ganga water at Sangam. "From January to February, every water sample tested has passed. These results show that Maa Ganga and our river culture take care of their own purity as they form the foundation of our life and livelihood."

"During the Maha Kumbh, several members, parties and organizations made baseless statements. Instead of getting distracted by such remarks, we remained committed to our responsibilities and were witness to the grand event," he said.

Noting that many experts have expressed their perspectives on the importance of the Maha Kumbh, the chief minister emphasised the spiritual, social and economic impact of the recently concluded 45-day mega religious congregation in Prayagraj.

"Naturally, only those who have actively participated in the event and experienced it firsthand can truly discuss it," he remarked.

Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Adityanath said, "Even Lord Krishna has stated in the Gita that He appears to each individual in the form in which they remember Him. Similarly, people's perception of the Kumbh reflects the perspective from which they view it."

Addressing the Ganga cleanliness issue, Adityanath said, "The Ganga flows over 1,000 km from Bijnor to Ballia. Before the Namami Gange project, the most critical pollution point was Kanpur which impacted not just Uttar Pradesh but the entire 2,500-km stretch from Gangotri to Gangasagar.

"For 125 years, the Sisamau drain in Kanpur dumped 40 million litres of sewage into the Ganga every day. But PM Modi allocated sufficient funds under Namami Gange to effectively implement the project," he told the House.

Slamming the Samajwadi Party (SP), the chief minister said, "Even though funds were provided in 2015, the then SP government took no step to implement the project."

"The same people who now talk about pollution did absolutely nothing during their tenure. When we got the opportunity, our double-engine government converted Kanpur's Sisamau drain into a selfie point. Today, not a single drop of sewage flows into the Ganga from Kanpur."

Addressing the House, the chief minister referred to a newspaper article written by a "non-RSS, non-BJP critic" who acknowledged the spiritual, social, and cultural impact of the Maha Kumbh.

"The author wrote that society thrives on its experiences. For 45 days, millions of devotees -- between 1 crore to 1.5 crore daily -- took the holy dip at Sangam in a disciplined and peaceful manner and the way they returned (home) with the same serenity left the world media awestruck.

"This sense of generosity, simplicity, patience, humility and decorum instilled a deep sense of respect for India and Sanatan Dharma in everyone's heart," Adityanath said.

He said, "In 45 days, over 66.3 crore devotees visited the Kumbh. Whether in Uttar Pradesh or Prayagraj, not a single incident of loot, kidnapping, rape, or molestation was reported. This is an example of social discipline. There was no discrimination based on caste, sect, or region. Maha Kumbh sent a new message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family)."

The chief minister further mentioned that the author of the article speculated that perhaps the massive participation at Maha Kumbh was a direct response to its critics, proving to the world that "the Hindu community stands united".

Adityanath said, "Those who tried to discredit Maha Kumbh by spreading false narratives about pollution and mismanagement were given a fitting reply by the people. The overwhelming participation of devotees was itself a form of protest against the critics, sending a clear message -- 'We are one'."

Reading from the article, the Chief Minister said, "Maha Kumbh has given rise to a new Hindu discourse: 'O Western modernity! What you tried to corrupt remains sacred to us. Our rivers, which continue to purify all who come in contact with them, remain untouched by your pollution'. Even science agrees that flowing water cleanses itself and our river culture is built on this very principle."

Adityanath also underscored the importance of open and respectful dialogue in a democratic setup, urging members to maintain the decorum of the House while expressing their views.

"The greatest strength of democracy lies in dialogue and expression of ideas. There can be nothing more significant than presenting our views on the floor of the House while maintaining the dignity of the forum," he said.

Expressing gratitude to the members, the chief minister appreciated their engagement in discussions on key issues related to Uttar Pradesh and their valuable contributions in the Legislative Council.