Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Thursday expressed regret over the use of an objectionable word while responding to a reporter’s question on Indore contaminated water deaths.
At least 13 people were killed and over 150 others were hospitalised after allegedly drinking water mixed with sewage in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.
When a reporter asked Vijayvargiya about the responsibility of senior officials and the situation of families, he rebuffed the question using an objectionable Hindi word.
The report shot back and asked Vijayvargiya not to resort to using foul language while being a senior minister.
After the controversy, Vijayvargiya expressed regret, saying he and his team had been working to improve the situation without sleep for the past two days. “My team and I have been continuously working to improve the situation in the affected area without sleep for the past two days. My people are suffering from contaminated water, and some have left us; in this state of deep sorrow, my words came out wrong in response to a media question. For this, I express my regret. But until my people are completely safe and healthy, I will not sit quietly,” he wrote on X in Hindi.
Congress demands Vijayvargiya’s resignation
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over the incident, demanding registration of an FIR and resignation of Vijayvargiya.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari accused the BJP of poisoning the water despite Indore consistently electing the saffron party leaders as MPs and MLAs. “Indore has consistently given the BJP 9 MPs, 9 MLAs, and a municipal corporation, but the BJP has poisoned the water. Questions are being raised about 13 deaths, while the BJP’s own CM says only 4 deaths occurred. Does that mean the CM also has a responsibility to hide the number of fatalities,” he asked.
Patwari also demanded that a culpable homicide case should be registered against those responsible.
“Why doesn’t the CM want to punish the officials responsible for this? A case should be filed against them for culpable homicide, and against the Indore Mayor too… All these deaths are happening because of their arrogance and unrighteousness…,” he added.
The Congress leader said that the state government should give Rs 1 crore in compensation to the families of those who died after drinking the contaminated water.
He also demanded the resignation of Vijayvargiya. “The Chief Minister should file an FIR against those responsible for this and should seek the resignation of the minister who abused.”
Petition filed before MP High Court
A petition has been filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court over the issue of contaminated water supply in Indore’s Bhagirathpura.
According to Indore High Court Bar Association President Ritesh Inani, “a petition was filed in court for a clean water supply to the people of Indore, and the people affected by the contaminated water must be treated free of cost.”