Did the Mahakumbh fair turn into a massive loot of devotees? Was their faith exploited for profit? Reports from various media outlets have long indicated that the arrangements at the fair were inadequate, and that pilgrims were being overcharged. However, anyone raising these concerns was dismissed as "anti-Hindu" or "anti-national." Now, even Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has indirectly acknowledged that devotees were financially exploited during Mahakumbh. During a recent assembly session, the opposition raised concerns over the exploitation of boatmen in Prayagraj. The CM responded by citing a so-called "success story" of a boatman’s family that allegedly earned ₹30 crores in just 45 days, averaging ₹50,000 per boat per day. However, a simple calculation raises serious doubts about these claims. According to the official rate list, the maximum fare per person for a boat ride was ₹150, with an 8-person capacity per boat. Under ideal conditions, even if a boat operated continuously without delays, the total earnings for 130 boats over 45 days would be around ₹9.82 crores—not ₹30 crores. This indicates that either the government’s figures were misleading or that unauthorized overcharging was rampant. Reports suggest that private and government-affiliated boat operators were charging between ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per person, far exceeding the regulated fares. Police and administration allegedly turned a blind eye, with some even justifying the overcharging. The boat operator at the center of this controversy, Pintu Mahara, reportedly has 21 criminal cases, including murder and extortion, against him. Was the government complicit in this financial exploitation? Was the faith of millions used as a shield for corruption? Watch this episode of News That Matters to uncover the shocking truth behind Mahakumbh’s financial scandal.