Political Outcry Over Alleged Medical Negligence in Kullu Childbirth Incident
Political Fallout from Kullu Childbirth Tragedy
Munish Sood
kullu
The tragic case of a woman's death during childbirth at the Regional Hospital in Kullu has escalated into a significant political issue. Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and current Leader of Opposition, Jairam Thakur, expressed his shock over the details emerging from the incident and called for a thorough and prompt investigation to ensure justice for the grieving family.
This incident involves the death of Rajni Devi, also known as Manju Sharma, whose relatives have accused the hospital staff of severe medical negligence, inhumane treatment, and verbal abuse during her delivery. The situation has led to widespread public outrage, prompting various organizations to protest outside the hospital for two consecutive days, demanding accountability for those involved.
On Tuesday, Thakur joined the protesters at the Regional Hospital, where he met with representatives from the protesting organizations and the victim's family. He pledged his full support and assured them that the BJP would stand by the family until justice is achieved.
Earlier that day, Thakur visited the victim's family home in Sunaru, Bali Chowki, where he offered his condolences to her husband and relatives, promising that every effort would be made to hold those responsible accountable.
Thakur later engaged with hospital officials, requesting a comprehensive explanation of the events leading to the woman's death and seeking clarification from the district administration regarding the alleged failures.
In statements to the media, Thakur indicated that the information gathered thus far suggests significant lapses in medical care and potential misconduct towards the patient and her family.
“The revelations are profoundly troubling. This woman was from my own Assembly constituency. If the allegations are substantiated, they raise serious concerns about the hospital's operations. Numerous families have previously complained about negligence and unprofessional behavior at the Regional Hospital, Kullu. Such occurrences can severely damage public trust in the healthcare system,” he remarked.
Thakur emphasized that his criticism was aimed at specific individuals whose actions are under scrutiny, not the entire medical community. He insisted that the government must take decisive action against anyone found culpable following a fair investigation.
The former Chief Minister stated that he would bring this matter to the attention of the Chief Minister, the Health Minister, and the Health Secretary, demanding a report on the actions taken thus far. He underscored the necessity for timely justice for the victim's family.
During his visit, Thakur was accompanied by former minister Govind Singh Thakur, MLA Surender Shourie, BJP district president Amit Sood, Narottam Thakur, Danvendra Singh, and several other BJP leaders and supporters.
Thakur also referenced the Vimal Negi death case, asserting that the family deserves a fair investigation. While acknowledging that the matter is under review, he claimed that findings from the investigating agency have raised serious concerns about the state government's handling of the case. He urged the government to allow an independent investigation to uncover the truth without interference.
The BJP has called for a transparent, impartial, and timely inquiry into the maternal death case, warning that their protests will persist until those responsible are held accountable and justice is served to the victim's family.