KUMBH: Faith, Fatalities & the Value of Human Life

For one who has been born, death is certain; and for one who has died, birth is certain. Therefore, you should not lament the inevitable —Bhagavad Gita 2.27

- By Amit Kapoor & Conor Martin

DEATH IS INDEED certain. But must it be accepted without question? This ancient piece of wisdom meant to instil resilience takes on a chilling resonance when life is lost not to fate, but by a failure of fundamental systems put in place to protect us. In a country as diverse as ours, grand religious congregations are a poignant expression of identity and belief. Conor and I have spent over two weeks now at the MahaKumbh as observers and participants. One thing we noticed as soon as we entered the mela premises was the sheer scale of humanity around us. Millions have come together in shared devotion, transcending class, caste and geography. Though we all blended into a collective identity, we still carried the weight of our own personal existence. In the wake of the tragic stampede that unfolded on 29 January, we found ourselves wondering: What is the true weight of a single life? What good is the right to worship if the worshipper is not protected?

The stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela took place in the early hours at the Sangam nose, as massive crowds surged towards the river