“Don’t Get Distracted by Satua Baba’s Roti”: Deputy CM Keshav Maurya Reprimands Prayagraj DM Over Magh Mela Preparations

With preparations underway for the upcoming Magh Mela at the Sangam banks, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya expressed strong displeasure over delays in administrative work and publicly reprimanded Prayagraj District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma during an inspection visit.

The Magh Mela is scheduled to begin on January 3 and will conclude on February 15, spanning 44 days. During his visit to review the arrangements, the Deputy CM found that the bathing ghat at Sangam Nose, one of the most crucial locations of the fair, was still not ready.

Visibly upset, Maurya admonished the DM, remarking, “Don’t get caught up in Satua Baba’s roti.” The comment triggered laughter among journalists present at the site and quickly drew public attention.

Viral Video Behind the Remark

The Deputy CM’s statement was a reference to a video that had gone viral a few days earlier, showing DM Manish Verma preparing rotis at the ashram of Satua Baba. The clip had circulated widely on social media, prompting political and administrative reactions.

A video of Maurya’s reprimand itself has now gone viral, sparking discussions over administrative priorities and public conduct.

Magh Mela: First Major Religious Event After Mahakumbh 2025

The Magh Mela, often referred to as a “Mini Kumbh”, is the first major religious congregation after Mahakumbh 2025. The event will witness six major bathing festivals and is expected to attract lakhs of devotees from across the country.

The state administration is organizing the fair on a large scale, given its religious and cultural significance.

About Prayagraj DM Manish Verma

Manish Kumar Verma, a 2011-batch IAS officer, has previously served as District Magistrate in Noida and Jaunpur. He secured the 61st rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Before joining the civil services, Verma worked with Deutsche Bank. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and later pursued MA and MPhil from JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University).