A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Madhya Pradesh was removed from his position on Sunday after a serious lapse in official duty. The officer allegedly copied sections of a Congress party memorandum, including criticism of minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's controversial 'ghanta' remark, directly into a government order.
Suspension for 'Serious Negligence' in Official Duty
Ashish Singh, the Ujjain Division Revenue Commissioner, issued the suspension order. Officials stated the action was taken due to "serious negligence, indifference and irregularities in the discharge of official duties" by the SDM. The incident has sparked a political controversy, linking an administrative error to the ongoing crisis over contaminated water in Indore.
The suspended officer had issued an order on Saturday. This directive instructed subordinate revenue staff to ensure law and order ahead of a Congress protest planned for Sunday in Dewas. However, in a major oversight, a portion of the Congress party's own protest memorandum was reproduced word-for-word within the official government document.
The Controversial Content of the Copied Memorandum
The Congress memorandum that was copied targeted the state's BJP government over the Indore water contamination crisis. It specifically referenced Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's use of the word 'ghanta' during a press interaction on December 31. The minister had used the term, commonly understood to mean "nonsense," in response to a journalist's question about the water crisis.
The Congress document described his remark as an example of "inhumanity and authoritarianism." It further outlined the party's plan for a 'ghanta' (bell) protest. Under the guidance of state Congress president Jitu Patwari, workers were to ring bells outside the residences of BJP MPs and MLAs across Madhya Pradesh. The protest aimed to condemn what the party called the "inhuman behaviour" surrounding deaths linked to the contaminated water in Indore's Bhagirathpura area.
Underlying Water Crisis and Death Toll Discrepancy
The administrative controversy is rooted in a severe public health issue. Officials have confirmed six deaths so far due to diarrhoea caused by the contaminated water. However, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav stated he had received information about 10 deaths connected to the outbreak. Local residents have made even graver claims, alleging that 16 people, including a six-month-old infant, have died because of the tainted water supply.
The incident highlights the intersection of administrative accountability, political rhetoric, and public health emergencies. The suspension of the SDM underscores the government's stance on maintaining the sanctity and neutrality of official communication, even as the state grapples with the fallout from the water contamination tragedy and the political protests it has ignited.
