Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has sharply criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for allegedly misrepresenting the 29 January Maha Kumbh stampede death toll. Citing a BBC report that put fatalities at 82 - more than double the official count of 37 - Yadav posted on X: "Facts vs truth: 37 vs 82." He said those sharing "false statistics" are unworthy of public trust .

Yadav also questioned the transparency of victim compensation, challenging why payments were made in cash, asking who authorised them and where undistributed funds went . He demanded an inquiry, warning that the reported BBC figure is only the beginning of a deeper probe into both deaths and financial irregularities .

The tragedy unfolded during the pre-dawn Mauni Amavasya dip at Sangam, where millions were present, resulting in dozens of injuries and widespread chaos. Yadav’s allegations are stirring pressure on the state government to clarify the dispute, ensure accountability, and restore public confidence. An independent investigation may now be inevitable.