LUCKNOW, Jan. 29 -- Uttar Pradesh fisheries minister and NISHAD party chief Sanjay Nishad sparked controversy after downplaying the Mahakumbh stampede, which claimed 30 lives and left 90 injured. His remark- "Minor incidents do happen in such a big event" (ho jaati hain chhoti-moti ghatnaein)-triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and social media users, who slammed him for his insensitivity.

As criticism mounted, Nishad attempted to clarify his statement, saying he was responding to a journalist's question about Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's demand to hand over Mahakumbh security to the army. "I heard the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Mahakumbh's statement that there was no stampede. My response was in the co...