Why a Mulayam Singh Yadav statue at Maha Kumbh Mela has sparked a row

Maha Kumbh, the grand spiritual gathering, commenced on Monday, drawing millions of saints, seers, devotees, and pilgrims to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The city came alive as people from all walks of life arrived to take the holy dip and participate in the festivities.

Amid the spiritual fervour and bustling celebrations, a political storm brewed when Samajwadi Party leaders installed a statue of the party’s late founder, Mulayam Singh Yadav, within the fairgrounds.

The move sparked sharp criticism from prominent seers and religious leaders, who opposed the presence of the political figure’s statue at the religious event.

Here’s a deeper dive into the unfolding controversy.

More from Explainers

Is your house heating up and making you miserable? Paint it white How ChatGPT is becoming everyone’s BFF and why that’s dangerous

Why was Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statue installed?

The sculpture, approximately two to three feet in height, was unveiled on January 13 at the Sector 16 campsite established by the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Seva Sansthan, an organisation dedicated to promoting the late leader’s legacy.

The statue was inaugurated by Mata Prasad Pandey, Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, who described it as a heartfelt homage to “Netaji” (a term of endearment for Mulayam Singh Yadav) and his lasting influence.

“He was our leader, and the camp was organised to spread his thoughts and ideas,” Pandey told PTI.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, who passed away in October 2022, remains a towering figure in Uttar Pradesh politics. As a three-time Chief Minister and former Defence Minister, he represented constituencies like Mainpuri and Azamgarh in a political career spanning over five decades as both an MLA and MP.

Editor’s Picks

1

Maha Kumbh 2025: 1.65 crore people take holy dip on first day in Sangam 2

In Graphics | What does it take to host the Maha Kumbh Mela?

Explaining the purpose of the camp, Pandey added, “Pilgrims and other people are welcome to go to the camp, have food, and stay there.” He clarified that the statue was installed “[symbolically]” to honour Yadav’s memory and would later be shifted to the Samajwadi Party office after the Maha Kumbh Mela.

However, the statue’s presence sparked disapproval from members of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the apex body of Hindu religious leaders.

‘Anti-Hindu, Anti-Sanatani’

Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, strongly criticised the installation of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statue, accusing the late leader of consistently being “anti-Hindu” and “anti-Sanatan.”

He argued that the statue serves as a reminder to religious leaders of incidents where, under Yadav’s leadership, members of their community were “killed”.

“We have no objection to Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statue. He was our Chief Minister, and no one can deny his political significance. But what message are they trying to convey by installing this statue now?” Puri questioned.

“Everyone knows about his contribution or lack thereof to the Ram temple movement. He has always been perceived as anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan, and favouring Muslims,” he added.

Juna Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar Yati Narsinghanand echoed Puri’s sentiments, supporting the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad’s disapproval of the statue. Both leaders expressed concerns that placing the statue at an event as sacred as the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu religious gathering, was an insult to their beliefs.

1.5 crore took holy dip on the first day

The 45-day Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began early Monday, with an estimated 1.5 crore (15 million) devotees braving the severe cold to take a sacred dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Crowds, under tight security arrangements, thronged the Triveni Sangam, performing the holy ritual believed to cleanse sins and bring them closer to ‘moksha.’

Among the sea of worshippers, the Naga Sadhus also made their presence felt. These mystics, with their ash-smeared bodies, dreadlocked hair, and minimal clothing—wearing only beads, garlands, and often smoking wooden pipes—captured the attention of visitors from all over the world.

Also read: Meet the women Naga Sadhus at Maha Kumbh

Overall, the spiritual fervour brought together people from across India and the world, united by their faith and devotion.

In the next 45 days, over 40 crore visitors, including international pilgrims, are expected to attend the festival. Besides, seers claim the celestial permutations and combinations for the event are taking place after 144 years , making the occasion even more auspicious for the faithful.

With input from agencies