Starting January 13, the holy city of Prayagraj will host the auspicious Maha Kumbh, a rare event that occurs once every 144 years, following 12 consecutive Kumbh Mela gatherings. However, on this occasion some Islamists are sharing social media posts aimed at undermining the significance of the event. These posts claim that the organizers of the Kumbh are welcoming Asaram Bapu, convicted of rape.
Divya Kumari stated, ‘The city of Prayagraj heartily congratulates all the senior rapists. This time there is proper arrangement for washing away sins in Maha Kumbh.’
प्रयागराज नगरी सभी वरिष्ठ बलात्कारियों का हार्दिक अभिनंदन करती है..
— दिव्या कुमारी (@divyakumaari) January 12, 2025
महाकुंभ में इस बार पाप धोने की उचित व्यवस्था है.. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/VusDMxkyl3
Minal Sultan and Indrabali Yadav also shared a similar claim.
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Fact Check
Our fact-checking process began with a reverse image search, which revealed that the image of Asaram, is not related to his welcome at the Kumbh. Instead, it was taken from his Ashram in Prayagraj.
The image appears on Asaram’s official website, which features pictures of his Ashram.
Furthermore, we discovered that saints from across India have been invited to the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. According to India TV, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has extended a special invitation to saints from the northeastern region, granting them ‘State Guest’ status.
Similarly, Hindustan Times reported that Ambassador Baba, Mahamandaleshwar Avdhoot Baba, also known as ‘Environment Baba,’ has arrived in Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025. Rabri Baba, or Shri Mahant Devgiri of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani, has become a major attraction at the holy site of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh. “Chai Wale Baba,” a tea seller turned ascetic from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has spent over 40 years offering free coaching to civil services aspirants while observing vows of silence and food abstention. Known as Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, he has also arrived at Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh.
Additionally, Shri Panchayati Akhada will be attending the Sikh saints to the event, and Hindustan Times reported that Naga Sadhvis will also be attending the Maha Kumbh. And upon thorough investigation, it has been found that these claims are false and misleading. There is no credible evidence or official news report to support the assertion that Asaram has been invited to participate in the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela.
| Claim | Kumbh organizers are welcoming Asaram. |
| Claimed by | Social media users |
| Fact Check | The viral image originates from Asaram’s Ashram in Prayagraj and is unrelated to the Kumbh event. |
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