Rahul Gandhi Targets MP Govt Over Balaghat Tribal Child Deaths, Says ‘Kaarwai Sust Rahi, Sarkar Soti Rahi’

New Delhi, Sep 17 : Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday stepped up his criticism of the Madhya Pradesh government over the reported deaths of more than 30 tribal children in Balaghat, alleging that illness, malnutrition, inadequate healthcare and lack of basic facilities had contributed to a serious crisis in the state’s tribal areas.

In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Mr Gandhi alleged that more than 30 Adivasi children had died amid illness, malnutrition and inadequate basic health facilities.

“Balaghat mein 30 se zyada Adivasi bachchon ki bimari, kuposhan aur buniyadi swasthya suvidhaon ki kami ke beech maut ho chuki hai,” he said.

Accusing the state government of failing to act with urgency, Mr Gandhi said, “Kaarwai sust rahi, sarkar soti rahi.”

Taking direct aim at the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, he said, “Mukhya Mantri ji, diye jalane aur utsav manane se fursat mil gayi ho to zara rajya ki zameeni haalat bhi dekhiye,” urging the government to focus on conditions on the ground.

Mr Gandhi said illness, malnutrition and lack of clean drinking water, along with what he described as a “charmarati swasth vyavastha”, were putting children’s lives at risk. He also alleged that adulterated medicines and illegal liquor were adversely affecting families across the state.

The Congress leader said he was travelling to Indore, where he would interact with students, young people and members of the public to understand their concerns and the prevailing conditions across Madhya Pradesh.

Referring to the wider state of public services, Mr Gandhi alleged that recent incidents reflected serious shortcomings in Madhya Pradesh’s education system. He further claimed that children, poor people, Dalits, Adivasis, backward communities and women were facing difficulties across the state.

Mr Gandhi also accused the Madhya Pradesh government of being “Bharat ki sabse bhrasht aur sabse kushasit sarkar”, making the Balaghat deaths part of a broader political criticism of the state administration.

The deaths of more than 30 tribal children in Balaghat’s predominantly tribal areas have come under scrutiny, with reports pointing to infectious diseases, severe malnutrition, gaps in healthcare and difficult access to medical facilities. The precise causes of the deaths remain under investigation.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has also sought a response from the state government on a public interest litigation concerning the deaths. The petition has raised allegations relating to medical care, nutrition and drinking-water facilities in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced measures to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Balaghat, including the deployment of 67 new medical officers, an allocation of Rs 2 crore for health facilities and plans for additional primary health centres and mobile medical units.

The issue is likely to remain a focus of political debate in Madhya Pradesh, with healthcare access, malnutrition, drinking water and delivery of basic public services in remote tribal areas emerging as key concerns.