Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met the families of people who lost their lives allegedly after drinking contaminated water in Bhagirathpura area of Indore and demanded accountability from the state government over the incident.
Along with the families affected by the water pollution incident in Bhagirathpura, he also demanded that appropriate compensation be given to the victims.
Rahul Gandhi told reporters here, “Whoever has done this, there must be someone responsible for them or there must be someone in the government. The government should take responsibility. The families of the victims of this incident, which happened due to the negligence of the government, should be given compensation and assistance in medical expenses.”
Upon reaching the city this morning, the Congress leader visited Bombay Hospital and met people and their families affected by the contaminated water. He then visited Bhagirathpura area of the city and interacted with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. Tight security arrangements were made in the area during his visit.
When asked if he was stopped from meeting the victims, the Congress MP said, “I was not stopped (from meeting the victims’ families). This is not politics. I am the leader of the opposition. People have died here and people are not getting clean water. I am here to highlight their problems. This is my job. This is my responsibility. I am here to help them and stand with them. You can call it whatever you want. Call it politics if you want. I am Don’t care. I stand with these people (victims’ families).”
Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, saying that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide clean water and control pollution, but it is not fulfilling any of these responsibilities.
The opposition leader said, “I have just met the affected people and they are present here. Many in their families have lost their lives and many have fallen ill. It was said that they will give smart cities to the country. This is a new model of smart cities where there is no drinking water and people are being intimidated.”
He said, “In Indore, people are not getting clean water and people are dying after drinking the water. This is an urban model. And this is not happening only in Indore. Same is the situation in many cities. It is the responsibility of the government to provide clean water and control pollution. The government is not fulfilling any of these responsibilities.”
Meanwhile, Manish Pawar, a resident who lost his mother due to contaminated water in Bhagirathpura, said Rahul Gandhi came to help the victims and comforted and consoled them.
“He (Rahul Gandhi) came to help, console and console the victims. He gave a check of Rs 1 lakh as financial assistance. Twenty families were present. He said they will try to provide us clean water and other facilities,” Pawar told reporters.
Another resident, Shanu Prajapat, said, “I told him (the party leader) that my mother-in-law died suddenly due to vomiting and diarrhoea. We could not even reach the hospital. Rahul Gandhi said he would help us. We were given a check of Rs 1 lakh (by Rahul Gandhi), but what will it do? Human life has no value. The government gave us a check of Rs 2 lakh, but we need water. How long will we keep buying clean water?”
The incident of water contamination in Indore’s Bhagirathpura sparked widespread criticism, costing lives and affecting many families.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and free treatment for all affected people.