India, Feb. 25 -- Amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh pilgrimage at Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, the debate around the water quality of Ganga river has reignited once again. This time, a Padma Shri awardee scientist has claimed that the holy river has the unique ability to cleanse itself.

On February 21, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government issued a press release, which cited Ajay Kumar Sonkar who claimed that the purity of the Ganga is still intact.

"Padma Shri Dr. Ajay Kumar Sonkar collected water samples from five major bathing ghats, including the Sangam Noz and Aral (Maha Kumbh city). These samples were sent to his laboratory for microscopic examination. Surprisingly, despite millions of devotees bathing in the river, no bacterial growth was...