Party spokesperson Pawan Khera criticises cancellation of Vaishno Devi Medical College’s recognition, says the govt could not ‘digest’ that 50 Muslim students had qualified
NEW DELHI — The Congress has mounted a sharp attack on the BJP-led Union and the Madhya Pradesh governments over the recent deaths in Indore allegedly caused by contaminated drinking water. The party also slammed the ruling party for cancelling the recognition of Jammu’s Vaishno Devi Medical College, which it linked to the selection of 48 Muslim students out of 50 on merit.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here on Thursday, Congress spokesperson and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department Pawan Khera demanded clarity from the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government on whether the Indore deaths were caused by cholera, alleging criminal negligence and a collective failure of what he termed the BJP’s “triple-engine government” — at the Centre, in the state, and at the Indore Municipal Corporation.
Khera said at least 18 people, including a six-month-old infant, had lost their lives, while over 40,000 people were affected, many of them undergoing treatment in intensive care units (ICUs). Calling the incident a grim indictment of governance, he pointed out that the tragedy had unfolded in Indore, which has repeatedly been declared the cleanest city under the Centre’s Swachh Survekshan survey.
He alleged that despite flagship schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the BJP government had failed to ensure safe drinking water. Referring to loans extended by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Madhya Pradesh in 2003 and 2008 for urban water supply and sanitation projects, Khera claimed the objectives of rehabilitating pipelines, sewage networks and water treatment facilities had not been fulfilled over the past two decades.
Presenting documents, he said approval to replace old pipelines in Indore was granted on July 22, 2022, but work had not begun. He alleged that quarterly water quality testing was not conducted, monitoring reports were not prepared, and infrastructure projects were mismanaged, resulting in contaminated water supply and preventable deaths. Terming this a “criminal betrayal” of citizens, he demanded a probe by the Prime Minister’s Office, escalation of the matter to the ADB, and an independent, Supreme Court-monitored inquiry.
Khera also cited other incidents, including the deaths of children allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrup and unhygienic conditions in government hospitals, to underline what he described as systemic failure and apathy.
On a separate issue, Khera questioned the cancellation of recognition of Vaishno Devi Medical College and expressed concern over the future of its students. He alleged that the recognition was withdrawn after 48 Muslim students qualified out of 50 on merit, a development he claimed the government was unwilling to accept.
According to Khera, the decision reflected a prejudiced mindset within the ruling establishment. He alleged that meritorious students from minority communities were being targeted and that hard-earned academic success was being undermined. “When capable students qualify through their own effort, it becomes difficult for this government to digest,” he said, accusing the BJP of politicising education and damaging the futures of deserving students.
“The college’s recognition was withdrawn because nearly 50 Muslim students had qualified on merit, something the government, he alleged, could not “digest.”
He claimed that in the government’s mindset, a person named Abdul is expected to remain confined to menial work. “Forgive me for saying this,” he remarked, adding that the idea of Abdul being capable, studying hard, and qualifying in a medical examination was unacceptable to those in power. “How could Abdul dare do this?” he said sarcastically.
Khera alleged that this reflected the true nature of the government, accusing it of planting the idea that Abdul needs to be “treated,” and in the process, he said, the government had made the entire country “ill.” He concluded by stating that when deserving students qualify through hard work, the government is unable to accept it.
Khera said the Congress would continue to press both issues and hold the Centre and BJP-led state governments accountable, asserting that slogans and awards could not mask governance failures that cost lives and jeopardise students’ futures.
