State Congress president Jitu Patwari stated that 24 individuals have tragically died after drinking contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area, with an additional eight to ten patients in critical condition. However, the state government has reported the death toll to be seven, including a five-month-old infant.
Gandhi will arrive in Indore on Saturday to meet those receiving treatment at Bombay Hospital, a private facility, he informed reporters. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will also visit Bhagirathpura to meet affected families and offer his condolences, according to him.
Patwari mentioned that the Congress aimed to hold a conference in Gandhi’s presence to explore solutions to the problem of contaminated drinking water, involving intellectuals, environmentalists, and municipal councillors from across the state, but the administration denied permission.
“Therefore, we will arrange this conference at a later date,” Patwari remarked.
He further alleged that 70 percent of the water supplied in the state is contaminated and unsuitable for consumption, labeling polluted water as “slow poison” that is causing significant harm to kidneys and other organs.
In targeting the ruling BJP, Patwari claimed, “Despite numerous deaths due to contaminated drinking water in Indore, state ministers are preoccupied with grand events and criticizing us for raising concerns about this incident.” Residents of Bhagirathpura insist that 24 people have died due to the vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak that began in the locality last month.
The state government presented a status report to the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday, indicating that seven people, including a five-month-old infant, lost their lives in the outbreak.
Meanwhile, a ‘death audit’ report from a committee at the government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College suggested that the deaths of 15 individuals in Bhagirathpura might be connected to the outbreak.
When asked about Gandhi’s visit by the media, former Lok Sabha speaker and senior BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan remarked that the opposition should fulfill its role robustly in a democracy.
“The opposition should carry out its duties with full vigor in a democracy. Let him (Gandhi) come. If he offers constructive suggestions, they should be considered by the relevant authorities,” Mahajan stated.
The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader noted that her party had also faced criticism while in the opposition and had earned public trust through vigorous advocacy for public causes.
Interestingly, a day before Gandhi’s arrival in Indore, Mahajan met Jitu Patwari at her residence to discuss the diarrhoea outbreak in Bhagirathpura.
“During our conversation, Patwari expressed the need for collaboration to find solutions to the contaminated drinking water issue in the city. I concur that we must transcend party politics to resolve this matter. Input from technical experts should also be obtained,” she added.
Addressing the Viksit Bharat- G RAM G Act, Mahajan criticized Congress’ opposition to it as “unfounded”.
“This legislation is informally referred to as Ji Ram Ji. As we promote the rural employment guarantee scheme, Ram will be remembered positively. This is beneficial,” she noted.
Mahajan also provided a measured response to allegations regarding damages to statues of former Holkar ruler Devi Ahilyabai during redevelopment at the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi.
“While I am unaware of which statues were damaged at the ghat, it is equally crucial for the government to pursue development while safeguarding historical heritage. The Varanasi administration has already clarified the situation, stating that improvements for the public are being made at Manikarnika Ghat,” she asserted.
