In a swift administrative action, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district was suspended on Sunday for alleged misconduct. The suspension came within hours of him granting official permission to the Congress party for a public protest. The protest was aimed at state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya for his reported remarks on the tragic deaths linked to water contamination in Indore.
The Controversial Order That Went Viral
The suspension order against SDM Anand Malviya was issued by Ujjain divisional commissioner Asheesh Singh. It cited 'dereliction of duty in signing an order without properly vetting it'. The official permission note signed by Malviya, which has since gone viral, contained strong political language.
The text explicitly mentioned that the deaths were caused by 'water supplied by BJP-governed municipal corporation'. It further described Minister Vijayvargiya's alleged response as 'a sign of inhuman nature and autocracy'. The order was issued in response to a request from the Dewas district Congress unit seeking permission to hold a rally against the water contamination tragedy.
What Did the SDM's Order Say?
The now-suspended official's order detailed the Congress's plan. It stated that on the instruction of state Congress president Jitu Patwari, strong protests would be held in front of the homes of MPs and MLAs, accompanied by the chiming of bells. This was to be a demonstration against what the order termed 'inhuman behaviour'.
Divisional Commissioner Singh clarified the grounds for suspension. He stated that SDM Malviya failed to verify critical facts before allowing the Congress's claims to be printed as part of a government order. 'The SDM failed to verify the death toll or nature of the problem,' Singh emphasized. The suspension is effective immediately, and during this period, Malviya will be posted at the divisional commissioner's office in Ujjain.
Root of the Controversy: Minister's Remark on Deaths
The entire episode stems from a tragic incident in Indore, where 14 deaths have been linked to water contamination. Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's response to these deaths, which the Congress and the SDM's order labelled as 'indecent', sparked the political firestorm. The swift suspension highlights the sensitivity of the issue and the administration's move to distance itself from the politically charged language used in the official permission note.
This incident underscores the tense political climate in Madhya Pradesh and the administrative tightrope officials must walk. It also brings the focus back on the serious public health issue of water contamination that led to the loss of lives in Indore.
