Vishal Dadlani challenges Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to drink Maha Kumbh water

After Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rejected reports claiming the presence of faecal bacteria in Maha Kumbh water and claimed that the Triveni Sangam water is “fit for drinking”, singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani took to his social media handle to challenge the CM.

Reacting to CM Yogi Adityanath’s remark refuting claims of Maha Kumbh water having faecal bacteria, the music composer took to social media on Thursday to challenge CM Yogi to have a “chunky glug” from the river in Prayagraj.

Vishal Dadlani’s open challenge to UP CM Yogi

Taking to Instagram stories, Dadlani wrote “Don’t worry about the haters, Sir. We believe you. Please go ahead and take a nice chunky glug. Directly from the river, on camera.”

The music composer shared another story, where he posted a news report talking about microbes known as faecal coliform present in the river water in Prayagraj and added, “If you can’t see millions of cases of dysentery, cholera, amoebiosis etc coming right up, you are clearly special. Please go ahead and dunk yourself and your family into sewage. More power to ya.”

NGT report claiming faecal coliform in Sangam water

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) released a report on February 17 stating that water near multiple Maha Kumbh locations at Prayagraj have shown high levels of faecal coliform bacteria. The report created a nationwide panic with millions taking a dip at the Sangam.

However but CM Yogi Adityanath dismissed the claims and said the water of the said location was “fit for drinking”.
Microbes known as faecal coliform are present in the river water along various locations in Prayagraj, as a result of which the water does not meet bathing quality standards – as per a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to a report by the CPCB, faecal coliform levels at all monitored locations were above the permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml, which point out that there is significant sewage contamination. This is alarming because Kumbh is known for witnessing the world’s largest human gathering where millions of devotees take ritual baths at the Sangam. The crowd is more especially on auspicious days, which leads to increased bacterial concentrations in the water.

Open defecation at Maha Kumbh

Despite 300 sanitation workers working day and night to ensure cleanliness at the venue and even with facilities such as clean and hygienic restrooms for the pilgrims, open defecation is happening at the Maha Kumbh, and the water quality report bears testimony to this. No amount of government efforts can ensure cleanliness of the holy venue unless there is awareness among the devotees.

Being held after 12 years, the Maha Kumbh started on January 13 and will continue till February 26 on the banks of the Triveni Sangam — the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, considered holy among Hindus.