Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a sharp political attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore, questioning the government’s repeated claims of success under flagship cleanliness and water supply schemes. The issue has reignited a national debate around access to safe drinking water, accountability, and the gap between official narratives and ground realities.
Kharge alleged that while the Prime Minister continues to promote initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan through speeches and campaigns, there is a troubling silence when lives are lost due to administrative failures. The incident in Indore, a city often showcased as a model for cleanliness, has intensified criticism against the ruling BJP and raised concerns about the actual effectiveness of these programmes.
The Congress leader’s remarks come at a time when public health and basic infrastructure have become central political issues. With reports of deaths and hundreds falling ill due to water contamination, the tragedy has become a symbol of what the opposition describes as systemic neglect and misplaced priorities.
Kharge Targets Modi Government Over Indore Water Tragedy
Mallikarjun Kharge stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who frequently highlights the achievements of the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, has failed to address the deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore. According to Kharge, this silence reflects a pattern where the government avoids accountability when governance lapses directly affect the poor and vulnerable.
He described the situation as deeply shameful, especially because Indore has repeatedly been ranked as the cleanest city in the country. Kharge argued that the contradiction between awards and reality exposes the hollow nature of government claims, suggesting that cosmetic cleanliness surveys cannot substitute for essential services like safe drinking water.
The Congress chief further alleged that the BJP-led government prioritises image-building over meaningful solutions. He said that repeated tragedies linked to basic amenities prove that policies are not translating into real relief for ordinary citizens.
Cleanest City Tag Versus Ground Reality
Indore’s reputation as the cleanest city for eight consecutive years under the Swachh Sarvekshan survey has been widely celebrated by the central and state governments. However, the recent outbreak of diarrhoea due to contaminated water has raised uncomfortable questions about what cleanliness truly means in practice.
Kharge pointed out that despite awards and rankings, residents were left struggling for clean water, leading to severe health consequences. He described this as a failure of governance, where infrastructure maintenance and public health safeguards were ignored even as the city was projected as a national success story.
The incident has also fueled broader criticism of survey-based evaluations, with opposition leaders arguing that such rankings focus more on visible sanitation metrics while ignoring hidden but critical factors like water quality and pipeline safety.
Allegations of Empty Promises and Political Arrogance
According to Kharge, the last 11 years have been marked by what he termed as long speeches, exaggerated claims, and empty promises. He accused the Modi government of misleading the public with slogans and grand announcements while failing to ensure basic necessities such as clean water and clean air.
He further alleged that when ministers are questioned about governance failures, they respond with intimidation or abusive language rather than answers. Kharge claimed that journalists face pressure and deflection tactics whenever uncomfortable questions are raised about public welfare and accountability.
The Congress leader also accused the ruling party of using state machinery to suppress criticism and cover up administrative lapses, arguing that such practices erode democratic values and transparency.
Concerns Over Jal Jeevan Mission Implementation
Kharge questioned the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, noting that a portion of the funds was meant to be used specifically for purifying contaminated water. He alleged that corruption and mismanagement have plagued the scheme, preventing it from achieving its stated objectives.
He claimed that despite massive budget allocations, many communities continue to rely on unsafe water sources, leading to repeated health crises. The Indore incident, according to Kharge, is not an isolated case but part of a larger pattern seen across several regions.
The Congress president argued that unless monitoring mechanisms are strengthened and corruption is addressed, even well-intentioned schemes will fail to deliver meaningful outcomes.
Health Crisis in Bhagirathpura Area
The contaminated water supply in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area resulted in a serious health emergency, with at least ten reported deaths due to diarrhoea and more than 1,400 people affected by vomiting and related symptoms over a short period. The scale of the outbreak highlighted the vulnerability of densely populated urban areas to infrastructure failures.
Health officials confirmed that laboratory reports indicated contamination caused by leakage in the drinking water pipeline. The leakage was reportedly found near a police outpost, at a location where a toilet had been constructed above the pipeline, raising concerns about planning and oversight.
Despite confirmation of contamination, detailed findings of the laboratory report were not made public, adding to public anger and suspicion about transparency in handling the crisis.
Opposition Demands Accountability and Transparency
The Congress has demanded accountability from both the central and state governments, insisting that responsibility must be fixed for the loss of lives. Kharge emphasized that the suffering of ordinary people should not be brushed aside through political defensiveness or silence.
He reiterated that access to clean water and clean air is a fundamental right, not a privilege dependent on political narratives. According to him, repeated tragedies undermine public trust and expose the consequences of neglecting essential infrastructure.
The party has also called for independent inquiries into water contamination incidents and stronger safeguards to prevent such outbreaks in the future.
Broader Debate on Governance and Public Welfare
The Indore water contamination tragedy has reignited a broader debate about governance, development priorities, and the role of accountability in public administration. Critics argue that high-profile campaigns must be matched by sustained investment in maintenance, monitoring, and local-level execution.
Kharge’s remarks reflect a growing opposition narrative that questions the effectiveness of headline-driven governance. He stated that real progress should be measured by improvements in people’s lives, not by awards, slogans, or publicity campaigns.
As the political discourse intensifies, the tragedy serves as a reminder that basic services like clean water remain a pressing challenge. For many citizens, the focus is less on political blame and more on ensuring that such preventable crises do not recur.
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About the Author:
Harshit Raj
