A fresh political controversy has engulfed Indore, days after a tragic water contamination incident claimed multiple lives. The city's Collector, Shivam Verma, and Mayor, Pushyamitra Bhargav, attended a late-night meeting at the local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office, sparking a fierce debate over administrative impartiality and protocol.
The Meeting That Fueled the Fire
The closed-door meeting took place on Wednesday night at the headquarters of the RSS's Malwa regional unit on Sudarshan Road. It was convened by Rajmohan, the RSS Malwa Prant Pracharak. This gathering occurred against the grim backdrop of the Bhagirathpura area tragedy, where contaminated drinking water led to the death of at least eight people and hospitalized hundreds.
While the Mayor confirmed his presence, he downplayed its significance. "As a swayamsevak, I often go to the RSS office. It has nothing to do with the present crisis," Pushyamitra Bhargav stated. Collector Shivam Verma has offered no comment on his participation.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed the agenda centered on crisis management failures. The talks reportedly addressed coordination gaps, delayed response mechanisms, and communication lapses that exacerbated public panic during the water crisis.
Political Blame Game Erupts
The incident quickly drew sharp reactions from political parties, turning it into a major flashpoint.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari launched a scathing attack, questioning the officials' priorities. "When poison is flowing through Indore’s taps, when homes are plunged into mourning... should the Collector be in the field, in hospitals, among the affected families, or inside the RSS office?" he asked. Patwari labelled the visit a blatant case of "cutting the nose of administrative impartiality."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly dismissed the criticism. Party spokesperson Shivam Shukla defended the meeting, calling it a routine courtesy call. "It was a courtesy meeting, and there was nothing wrong with it. Can’t officials meet people? The Congress should stop spreading misinformation," Shukla asserted. BJP functionaries insisted the meeting was not about making officials answerable to the RSS but about improving future coordination between bureaucracy and the administration.
Protocol and the Lingering Crisis
The controversy has intensified scrutiny on institutional protocols. District Collectors, as officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), operate under a clear chain of command through the state government. Mayors function under municipal statutes. Their joint presence at a political organization's office during an ongoing public health emergency has raised eyebrows regarding the boundaries of their roles.
Meanwhile, the human cost of the water contamination remains severe. According to the latest health bulletin from Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani:
- At least 446 people have been hospitalized from the affected zone.
- 396 patients have been discharged.
- 50 individuals remain under treatment, with 10 in the ICU.
- The state government has told the High Court the death toll is eight, but district records show compensation cheques of Rs 2 lakh have been distributed to 18 families.
The administration has deployed two dedicated ambulances for the Bhagirathpura neighbourhood. As Indore grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, the political row over the RSS meeting underscores the deep tensions between crisis governance, political affiliations, and public trust.
