Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP Over Water Contamination Crisis in Madhya Pradesh
Congress Leader Critiques Government Response
In New Delhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized the BJP's governance in Madhya Pradesh following reports of at least ten fatalities linked to contaminated water in Indore. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of remaining silent in the face of such tragedies affecting the poor.
Gandhi pointed out that Madhya Pradesh has become a hub of mismanagement, referencing multiple incidents of fatalities attributed to unsafe cough syrups, inadequate sanitation in government hospitals, and now, tainted drinking water.
He expressed his outrage on social media, stating, "What was distributed in Indore was not water, but poison, while the administration remained inactive."
He lamented the widespread grief among families, emphasizing that the poor are left powerless, while BJP officials make dismissive remarks. "Those who have lost their lives and livelihoods deserved compassion, yet the government responded with arrogance," he added.
The controversy escalated when senior cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya used an inappropriate term during a media interaction when questioned about the water crisis.
In his post, Gandhi questioned why the authorities ignored repeated complaints regarding the foul-smelling water.
He raised critical questions: "How did sewage contaminate the drinking water? Why wasn’t the supply halted promptly? When will those responsible be held accountable?"
Gandhi insisted that these are not trivial inquiries but essential demands for accountability. He asserted that access to clean water is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and blamed the BJP's negligent governance for infringing upon this right.
He reiterated that Madhya Pradesh has become synonymous with misgovernance, citing deaths from cough syrup, children being harmed in hospitals, and now fatalities from sewage-contaminated water. He remarked that Modi remains silent whenever the poor suffer.
Indore's Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed the reports of ten deaths due to a diarrheal outbreak linked to contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area.
However, local residents claim that the death toll is higher, including that of a six-month-old infant, a claim that the health department has yet to verify.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani stated that tests from a local medical college confirmed contamination in the drinking water due to a pipeline leak.
Despite this, detailed findings from the report have not been disclosed, and officials have been reticent in providing clear information.
Authorities indicated that a leak was detected in the main water supply pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura, where a toilet was built, leading to the contamination.
Over the past nine days, more than 1,400 individuals have reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea in the area.