Political tensions erupted violently in Indore's Bhagirathpura area on Saturday, as workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress clashed over the tragic deaths linked to contaminated water. The confrontation, which required significant police intervention, occurred during a visit by a Congress fact-finding committee to the affected locality.
Confrontation Erupts During Fact-Finding Visit
The situation escalated when the Congress delegation arrived to meet with families impacted by the water crisis. They were met by a large group of BJP workers who staged a counter-protest, chanting slogans like "Outsiders go back." In retaliation, Congress supporters shouted 'Ghanta Party Murdabad,' referencing a recent statement by a state minister.
The protest turned aggressive with some demonstrators waving black flags and reportedly throwing black bangles at the opposing faction. In a significant incident, a slipper was hurled at senior Congress politician and former state minister, Sajjan Singh Verma.
Police Intervention and Multiple Detentions
As the standoff threatened to descend into violence, senior police officers, including ACP Amit Singh, intervened to control the crowd. The police forcibly removed several prominent Congress leaders from the site, placing them in police vehicles. Those detained included Verma, party MLAs Mahesh Parmar (Tarana) and Pratap Grewal (Sardarpur), state women's Congress president Reena Bourasi, and city Congress president Chintu Choukse.
Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya stated that approximately 40-50 Congress workers were arrested for disturbing the peace before the crowd was dispersed. The detained politicians were later released from central jail after filling the necessary bonds.
Rising Death Toll and Political Accusations
The underlying cause of the clash is a severe public health crisis. Officials confirmed another death due to diarrhoea on Saturday, raising the official toll to five. However, reports indicate the total number of fatalities due to the contaminated water has reached 10 people. Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Hasani reported that as of Saturday, 356 patients were hospitalized, with 209 having been discharged.
Following his release, Sajjan Singh Verma launched a fierce attack on the state government, calling the police action a "murder of democracy." He accused the police of acting as shields for BJP workers and preventing opposition leaders from meeting grieving families.
The incident in Bhagirathpura highlights the intense political polarization surrounding a critical public health issue, with both parties trading blame while the community grapples with the consequences of the water contamination.
