Rahul Gandhi Visits Indore, Condemns Government Over Water Contamination Crisis
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, made a significant visit to Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. He directly engaged with patients and families suffering from a severe vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak. This outbreak stemmed from contaminated water in Indore.
Hospital Visits and Community Interactions
Gandhi first went to Bombay Hospital, a private medical facility. He met four patients currently undergoing treatment there. He inquired about their health conditions and spoke at length with their family members. This interaction was reported by the ANI news agency.
Following the hospital visit, Gandhi traveled to Bhagirathpura. This area was the epicenter of last month's devastating outbreak. He personally interacted with the families who lost loved ones. Gandhi offered his heartfelt condolences and provided comfort to the grieving residents.
Strong Criticism of Government Policies
Speaking to reporters after his visits, Rahul Gandhi delivered a sharp critique. "I have met those affected by drinking contaminated water in Bhagirathpura," he stated. "Many family members have died, and many have fallen ill."
He then targeted the central government's flagship urban development program. "A promise was made to give the country 'Smart Cities'. But this is the new model of Smart City, where there is no drinking water and people are being intimidated," Gandhi asserted. He emphasized that clean water remains unavailable in Indore, leading to preventable deaths.
"This is not limited to Indore alone, but is happening in other cities as well," he added, broadening the scope of his criticism. Gandhi called for clear government accountability. "The government should take responsibility for this, and victims must receive proper compensation. Even today, clean water is not available here."
He framed his visit as a duty of his position. "As the Leader of the Opposition, I have come to raise their voice; this is my responsibility—I stand with the affected families," Gandhi concluded.
Political Entourage and Security Measures
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari accompanied Gandhi on this visit. Umang Singhar, the leader of opposition in the state legislative assembly from Gandhwani constituency, also joined them.
Local authorities implemented tight security in Bhagirathpura ahead of Gandhi's arrival. Police installed barricades at multiple locations throughout the area to manage the situation.
Conflicting Death Toll Figures
The human cost of the outbreak remains a point of contention. Residents of Bhagirathpura claim that 24 people died due to the contaminated water. However, the state government presented a different figure in its report to the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Officials stated the death toll was seven, which included a five-month-old infant.
Adding another layer, a government committee conducted a 'death audit'. This committee from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College suggested that 15 deaths could be linked to the outbreak in some capacity.
Government Response and Political Reactions
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had previously announced financial aid. He pledged Rs 2 lakh in assistance to the families of the deceased. The government also promised free treatment for all affected individuals. Officials noted that while some deaths had other causes, they provided financial help to all bereaved families on humanitarian grounds, as per PTI reports.
Jitu Patwari, speaking to ANI, launched a strong attack on the state BJP government. He accused them of engaging in "blame and counter-blame" politics. "24-25 people have died due to poisonous water in Indore," Patwari stated. He highlighted the long tenure of BJP rule in the state and municipality, questioning why clean water was not provided despite their extended governance.
Umang Singhar explained the purpose of Gandhi's visit. He said it aimed to understand the incident at the grassroots level and show solidarity. "The Constitution grants us the right to clean water; it is the municipal corporation's responsibility, but why is it not being provided? These are the issues Rahul Gandhi seeks to comprehend," Singhar remarked.
