Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Madhya Pradesh government on Friday, accusing it of distributing "poison" instead of water. This came after at least ten people, including a six-month-old infant, lost their lives in Indore's Bhagirathpura area due to severe diarrhea caused by consuming contaminated water.
Rahul Gandhi's Fiery Accusation on Social Media
Taking to social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi did not mince words, holding the state's "double-engine government" responsible for the tragedy. He stated that clean water is a fundamental right, not a favour, and condemned the administration's alleged negligence.
"In Indore, it wasn’t water that was distributed, but poison—and the administration slumbered on like Kumbhakarna," Gandhi wrote in his post. He highlighted the grief-stricken homes and the helplessness of the poor, further criticising BJP leaders for what he called "arrogant statements" in the wake of the deaths.
Gandhi posed critical questions about the incident: "How did sewage get mixed into the drinking water? Why wasn’t the supply shut off in time? When will action be taken against the responsible officers and leaders?" He asserted that these were demands for accountability, not mere questions. The Congress leader concluded by squarely blaming the BJP government, its negligent administration, and callous leadership for the "murder" of the right to life.
Official Findings Point to Pipeline Leakage
Officials investigating the tragic incident have pinpointed the cause of contamination. A leakage was discovered in the main drinking water supply pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura. Shockingly, a toilet had been constructed directly over the spot of the leak.
This leakage allowed sewage from the toilet to seep into the drinking water line, leading to the widespread contamination in the area. The contamination resulted in a severe health crisis, with numerous residents falling ill.
As of the latest reports, 201 patients are currently admitted to hospitals for treatment, with 32 of them in a critical condition requiring intensive care in ICUs.
Government Response and Preventive Measures
Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey provided details on the administration's response. He informed that after a thorough inspection, clean water was supplied to Bhagirathpura households through the pipeline on Thursday. However, as a precautionary measure, residents have been advised to boil the water before drinking it.
"We have also taken samples of this water and sent them for testing," Dubey told PTI. He added that authorities are closely examining the entire drinking water supply pipeline in the area to check for any other potential leakages.
In light of this tragedy, the senior bureaucrat stated that a standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued for the entire state to prevent similar incidents in the future, aiming to overhaul water supply safety protocols.
Madhya Pradesh Labelled 'Epicentre of Misgovernance'
In his social media post, Rahul Gandhi extended his criticism beyond the Indore incident, calling Madhya Pradesh the epicentre of misgovernance. He referenced past tragedies in the state, including cough syrup deaths and incidents of rats in government hospitals, accusing the central leadership of silence whenever the poor suffer.
"And every time the poor die, Modi ji stays silent, as always," he added, directly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The political blame game has intensified following the water contamination deaths, putting the spotlight on public health infrastructure and governance in the state.
