Rahul Gandhi Slams MP Government Over Indore Diarrhoea Tragedy
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday. He accused the state administration of failing to fix responsibility for the Bhagirathpura diarrhoea outbreak. The outbreak claimed 15 lives in Indore.
Smart City Model Lacks Basic Amenities
Rahul Gandhi criticized what he called the "urban model of the Smart City project." He stated this model lacks fundamental services like clean drinking water. "It used to be said that the country would get smart cities. This is the new model of a smart city. There is no drinking water here, and people are being intimidated," Gandhi told reporters.
He made these remarks after meeting bereaved families from Bhagirathpura. These families lost loved ones due to contaminated water supply. Gandhi also visited patients at Bombay Hospital in Indore.
Widespread Water Crisis Alleged
The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha painted a grim picture. "Entire families fell ill after drinking water. In Indore, you cannot get clean water; people drink water and die. This is the urban model, and it is not limited to Indore. It's happening in many cities," he alleged.
Gandhi emphasized the government's core responsibility. He said it is the government's duty to provide clean water and ensure low pollution levels. He accused the current administration of not fulfilling these basic responsibilities.
"Someone must be responsible. There must be someone in the government who is responsible for getting this work done. So the government must take responsibility," Gandhi asserted. He stressed the immediate need of the area's residents for clean, safe water.
Temporary Arrangements and Government Compensation
Pointing to a local water tank supplying Bhagirathpura, Gandhi called it very basic. "Yet even today there is no clean water here," he noted. He expressed skepticism about temporary measures put in place.
"They have put a temporary arrangement in place, which will stay for a few days because media attention and the nation's attention is on this place right now. But the moment the attention shifts, the situation here will go back to being the same, with the same water," he warned.
Alleging gross negligence, Gandhi demanded full support and compensation for the affected families. According to government records, 15 people died from diarrhoea and vomiting in Bhagirathpura since the outbreak was reported on December 29.
The government has provided compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to 21 families in the locality. However, officials did not directly attribute these families' losses to the outbreak. During his visit, Rahul Gandhi handed over cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to 24 bereaved families, as confirmed by local Congress leaders.
Political Sparring Over the Visit
Rahul Gandhi's visit drew immediate criticism from the ruling party. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav earlier accused the Congress of playing 'politics over corpses.' He said the opposition was finding 'opportunity in disaster.'
Gandhi responded defiantly to these allegations. "Call it whatever you want — call it politics if you like. I do not care. I am standing here with them, and you must ensure that they get clean drinking water," he stated.
He framed his visit as a constitutional duty. "I am the leader of the Opposition. People have died here. People are not getting clean drinking water. I have come to raise their issue and to help them. There is nothing wrong with that," Gandhi explained.
He further expanded his commitment. "Now it has become my responsibility – wherever people are not getting clean drinking water in the country, I would go there and help them and stand with them." The Congress leader also denied reports that authorities stopped him from meeting the bereaved families.
