The Congress party has called for a high-level investigation, potentially overseen by the Supreme Court, into the tragic deaths linked to contaminated water supply in Indore. The demand was made public during a press conference held on Thursday.
Congress Accuses Government of Negligence
Leading the charge, Congress head of media and publicity department, Pawan Khera, launched a sharp critique against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh. Khera alleged that the incident has "exposed" the administration, highlighting a stark failure in its fundamental duty to ensure safe drinking water for citizens.
He pointed out the irony of the crisis unfolding in Indore, a city that has proudly held the title of "India's cleanest city" for eight consecutive years in the Swachh Survekshan surveys. "The BJP, which endlessly repeats its slogan of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas', has failed at its most basic duty," Khera stated.
Scale of the Tragedy and Official Response
According to the Congress leader, the contamination in the Bhagirathpura area has impacted a vast number of people. Khera claimed that over 40,000 residents have been affected, with many still receiving critical care in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
This demand for a probe follows a report by The Indian Express which revealed that, according to government records, compensation has been provided to the families of 18 individuals who died due to the contaminated water.
Demand for Accountability and External Intervention
Expressing outrage over the government's handling of the situation, Khera accused the BJP-led state government of displaying "shocking arrogance" instead of urgency, compassion, or accountability. The Congress party is not only seeking answers from the state government but has also escalated its demand for an external investigation.
"We demand that the PMO should immediately order an independent probe and the matter should be escalated to the Asian Development Bank and the Supreme Court," Khera asserted during the press conference. The call for involving the Supreme Court underscores the party's push for a probe perceived as impartial and authoritative, beyond state-level mechanisms.
The incident has sparked a major political controversy, putting the spotlight on public health infrastructure and governance in Madhya Pradesh, with the opposition Congress seeking to hold the ruling party accountable for the public health disaster.
