Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Madhya Pradesh government over the water contamination incident in Indore that has claimed at least 10 lives.
The Rae Bareli MP alleged that contaminated water was supplied to residents while the state administration failed to act in time. In a post on X, Gandhi said the government remained inactive even as people fell ill after consuming polluted water.
“In Indore, there was no water—just poison being distributed, while the administration slumbered like Kumbhakarna,” Gandhi wrote. He added that families were grieving and accused BJP leaders of making insensitive remarks instead of offering support.
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According to officials, a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated drinking water has affected more than 1,400 people in the city. Health authorities confirmed that 10 deaths have been linked to the outbreak so far.
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said she had received information confirming the fatalities in the Bhagirathpura area. However, local residents have claimed the death toll is higher. Some residents told local authorities that 14 people, including a six-month-old infant, had died, PTI reported.
Questions raised over delay and accountability
Rahul Gandhi questioned why authorities failed to act despite complaints from residents about foul-smelling and dirty water. He asked how sewage entered the drinking water pipeline and why the supply was not shut down immediately.
“People repeatedly complained about the dirty, foul-smelling water—yet why was there no heed? When will action be taken against the officers and leaders responsible?” Gandhi said.
Officials later said a leakage was found in the main drinking water pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura. The leak was located beneath a toilet structure, leading to sewage contamination of the supply.
Indore Municipal Corporation additional commissioner Rohit Sisoniya said test reports showed bacteria in 26 of the 50 water samples collected four days earlier. He added that corrective measures had since been taken.
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A health department official told PTI that 272 patients were admitted to hospitals in the affected area, with 71 later discharged.
Gandhi also criticised Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya over remarks made to a reporter questioning the incident. Vijayvargiya later issued an apology.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the state government, questioning Indore’s “cleanest city” status and saying water pollution was leading to loss of lives.
