20

Jan

Political Rivalry Over Kumbh and Gangasagar Mela

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A person wearing a red turban Description automatically generatedSpirituality in India has long been seen as a realm untouched by the battles of politics, but recent events have shown that even sacred occasions are not immune to political manoeuvring. A rare competition has emerged between two of the country’s most significant religious events—the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and the Gangasagar Mela at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal. This ongoing conflict between the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal revolves around both the religious significance of these events and the resources and recognition they generate.

The competition was recently exacerbated when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the inauguration of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Bhubaneswar, highlighted the Kumbh Mela, urging overseas Indians to visit Prayagraj for the once-in-a-lifetime spiritual opportunity that takes place after 144 years. Notably, the Prime Minister made no mention of the Gangasagar Mela, intensifying claims by the West Bengal government that the BJP was showing favoritism toward the Kumbh Mela, sidelining Gangasagar. The political battle revolves not only around spiritual and cultural identity but also the economic advantages these events bring, including media coverage, tourism, and government funding.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been vocal in her criticism of the central government’s support for the Kumbh Mela while neglecting Gangasagar. Her government has long campaigned for Gangasagar to receive the status of a national festival, arguing that it holds just as much religious and cultural significance as the Kumbh Mela. The BJP-led government’s focus on Prayagraj has created tension, as both states vie for attention and support for their respective religious festivals.

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Column at a Glance

In India, politics has increasingly intersected with spirituality, particularly in the competition between two major religious events—the *Mahakumbh Mela* in Uttar Pradesh and the *Gangasagar Mela* in West Bengal. The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government has focused on promoting the Kumbh Mela, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged overseas Indians to visit Prayagraj for the rare event, creating tensions with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal.

Monday Matters

By Prabhjot Singh

The West Bengal government has criticized the lack of central support for the Gangasagar Mela, which it has campaigned to be recognized as a national festival. Both states are using extensive media campaigns and infrastructural initiatives to promote their events. The competition is not only spiritual but also political, as both state governments aim to garner economic benefits and bolster their political influence through these sacred gatherings. Ultimately, the rivalry highlights the increasing politicization of religious festivals in India.

 

Both the Kumbh Mela and Gangasagar Mela take place in January, attracting millions of devotees. However, the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years, has this time taken on extra significance due to celestial alignments that only occur once every 144 years. The Uttar Pradesh government, in its promotional material, has painted the event as a grand spiritual gathering that draws devotees from all over India and beyond. Advertisements promoting the event describe it as a “spiritual power center” and “once-in-a-lifetime spectacle,” with over 40 crore devotees expected to participate, including a large number of overseas Indians. The Uttar Pradesh government has also made strides to enhance the experience for pilgrims by using AI-based technologies for security, transportation, and public services.

The West Bengal government, in its efforts to ensure Gangasagar gets its due recognition, has launched an extensive promotional campaign as well. Full-page advertisements have been placed in major newspapers, highlighting the spiritual significance of the Gangasagar Mela, which draws devotees to the sacred meeting point of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. The state government has also initiated programs such as the Bandhan initiative, where pilgrims receive participation certificates in three languages, showcasing their devotion to the event.

However, the competition between the two states has intensified with conflicting claims about the number of pilgrims. While West Bengal has stated that around 42 lakh pilgrims visited Gangasagar this year, with hopes of surpassing the record of one crore set in 2023, opposition parties, including the BJP, have disputed these figures. Reports have also suggested that fewer pilgrims have attended this year, possibly due to ecological concerns surrounding the island. Despite these challenges, West Bengal’s political leaders have remained adamant that the Gangasagar Mela deserves national recognition, just like the Kumbh Mela.

Mamata Banerjee’s TMC government has consistently argued for the Gangasagar Mela to receive the same level of national importance and government support as the Kumbh Mela. This includes funding for infrastructure development and the promotion of Hindu religious practices. The West Bengal government has also been involved in building and refurbishing temples using state funds, a move that mirrors similar practices in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, where public resources are used for religious initiatives. In this political landscape, religious festivals have become key symbols of political power and influence, especially among the Hindu community.

For both states, the competition over Kumbh and Gangasagar is not only about religion but also about the economic and political capital generated by these festivals. The media attention that both events receive, along with the influx of pilgrims, creates significant revenue opportunities for local economies. Moreover, the support and recognition of these events by the central government carry immense political weight, influencing public perception and electoral outcomes.

The rivalry over the Kumbh and Gangasagar Mela highlights the growing intersection of religion and politics in India. As both state governments continue to pour resources into promoting their respective festivals, they also aim to cement their position within the broader national narrative of Hindu identity and devotion. While these festivals are meant to be spiritual and cultural celebrations, they have inevitably become tools for political mobilization.

In this ongoing battle, the Kumbh Mela is viewed by some as a symbol of national unity and Hindu faith, receiving the backing of the central government. In contrast, the Gangasagar Mela represents West Bengal’s efforts to assert its own cultural and religious identity, challenging the BJP’s dominance in religious affairs. As both states continue to vie for recognition and resources, it is clear that spirituality in India is now inseparably linked to politics, with both governments eager to capitalize on the significance of these sacred gatherings.

Ultimately, the competition between the Kumbh and Gangasagar Mela is not just a contest over religious prestige but also a battle for political dominance and economic gain. As long as religious events are used as vehicles for political leverage, these sacred occasions will remain a focal point of national debate and contestation.

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