During the Mahakumbh, a stampede occurred in the Sangam Nose area at around 1:30 AM on 28th January. According to government figures, 30 people have died and 60 are injured. Meanwhile, claims have suffered on social media alleging that Direhndra Shastri had predicted this tragic event in advance. However, on checking the facts these acts are revealed.
The viral claim
A post by X user Girish Shukla shared an alleged handwritten note from Dhirendra Shastri, stating that he had foreseen the stampede using his Trinetra and had written about it in the evening before the incident. The post further claimed that the note got wet during a bath and thus could not be handed over to the authorities.
Similarly, claims were made on Facebook by user Vipin Kumar Pal, further spreading the misinformation.
Fact-check investigation
BOOM investigated these claims, Key findings include:
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No credible media reports support the claim that Dhirendra Shastri predicted the stampede
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A thorough check of Shastri’s official social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X) revealed no such statements or predictions.
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The alleged letter was analyzed using AI detection tools like Hive Moderation, which determined with 99% certainty that the image was AI-generated.
Dhirendra Shastri's statement
While addressing the Mahakumbh stampede, Dhirendra Shastri stated that the incident was undoubtedly tragic. However, he also mentioned that once those who lost their lives had not truly died but had attained moksha. Additionally, appealed to people who were unable to come to Sangam for the holy dip to instead bathe in any available natural water body. He emphasized, “Saiyam (patience) is Sangam.”
Nowhere in his statement did he mention any prediction regarding the stampede, which further confirms that the viral claim is fake.
So the claim that Dhirendra Shastri had foreseen the Mahakumb stampede is entirely false and misleading. The viral letter circulating on social media is AI-generated, and no legitimate evidence supports the claim of his prior knowledge of the incident. Such misinformation should be actively debunked as it not only spreads misunderstanding in society but can also tarnish the reputation of religious figures and institutions. Social media users are advised to verify information from reliable sources before sharing.