‘Complete failure of government’: Rahul Gandhi on tribal child deaths in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the deaths of several tribal children due to various diseases in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district show a complete failure of the BJP government in the state and urged the chief minister to personally resolve the issue.

Rahul Gandhi calls Balaghat deaths ‘alarming’

In a post on X, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said the news of 30 tribal children dying in Balaghat is extremely alarming and heartbreaking.

"The lack of basic facilities, such as drinking water, nutrition and timely treatment, is claiming the lives of the children who are suffering due to this deadly disease," Gandhi said in his post.

"This is a complete failure of the government. The chief minister should personally resolve this and ensure immediate investigation, treatment and relief in the area. There can be no compromise on the lives of children," he added, citing media reports.

Tribal groups claim 27 children died

According to the media reports, around 30 children died in Balaghat over the last two months due to different diseases, even though the government has claimed a fewer number of deaths.

A shutdown was called by the tribal community on Thursday over the deaths of the children in the Baihar-Paraswada region.

Tribal groups have been on an indefinite strike since August 21, claiming that 27 children died in the last two months and a half due to diseases like measles, malaria, diarrhoea and skin infections.

CM Mohan Yadav visits tribal villages

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited tribal villages in Balaghat last Saturday, which he described as a first for a chief minister in 25 years to the erstwhile core Naxal-affected region, following the deaths of the children since June.

Yadav has announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the affected families.

The Congress has been demanding a special committee to probe the deaths of the tribal children allegedly due to malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh and seeking strict action against those found responsible.