Chhattisgarh Assembly Sees Stormy Session Over Tribal Minor Girls' Pregnancy Allegations
The alleged pregnancy of three minor tribal girls in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district erupted into a major controversy in the state assembly on Monday, with the opposition Congress moving an adjournment motion and staging a walkout after their demand for discussion was disallowed.
Congress Alleges Hostel Negligence and Cover-Up Attempt
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Congress legislators sought suspension of listed business to allow an immediate discussion, terming it a matter of grave concern involving the safety of tribal girls in a sensitive scheduled area. The adjournment notice alleged that the girls were residents of a government-run portacabin hostel and that after the pregnancies came to light, they were sent home with efforts made to portray them as absent from the hostel rather than initiating criminal action against those responsible.
Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel stated that incidents involving minor girls, particularly tribal students in the Bastar region, had been surfacing for years with no effective action taken against the guilty. He described it as a serious failure of protection in government-run residential institutions.
Congress MLA Vikram Mandavi revealed that one of the girls was a Class 11 student while two were Class 12 students, questioning why no action had been taken so far. Umesh Patel alleged that according to opposition information, two of the girls had been driven out of the hostel and officials were attempting to hush up the matter.
Government Firmly Denies Allegations as Baseless
Responding to the charges, School Education Minister Gajendra Yadav categorically rejected the opposition's allegations as "baseless" and stated that no accused person was being protected. He informed the House that the three girls referenced by the opposition were not currently studying in the portacabin hostel.
The minister elaborated that two of the girls were neither residing in nor studying at that hostel and were instead enrolled in Swami Atmanand School. Regarding the third girl, he clarified she had previously stayed in the hostel but had been absent for nearly five months and had not been expelled.
"The matter was examined after reports appeared in sections of the media," Yadav maintained, adding that the news was misleading, baseless and factually incorrect. He emphasized that portacabins function under district collectors' supervision and remain under administrative watch.
Inquiry Underway Amid Opposition Dissatisfaction
While defending the government's position, Minister Yadav acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, describing it as suspicious in nature. He confirmed that an inquiry was underway on the instructions of the collector, with action promised against anyone found guilty.
The opposition, however, expressed complete dissatisfaction with the minister's reply, accusing the government of downplaying a grave matter concerning tribal girls' safety. When the Chair disallowed the adjournment motion, opposition members staged a walkout from the House in protest.
Leader of opposition Charandas Mahant, along with legislators Kawasi Lakhma and Anila Bhediya, criticized what they described as repeated attempts to shield officials instead of lodging FIRs in such sensitive cases. Other opposition members joined in, characterizing the issue as deeply disturbing and demanding immediate accountability.
The assembly session highlighted ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition over tribal welfare issues, with this particular incident bringing to the forefront concerns about institutional safety mechanisms for vulnerable populations in remote areas.
