Uma Bharti
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: The deaths in Madhya Pradesh due to water pollution led to sharp reactions by former chief minister Uma Bharti who said that the tragedy had “shamed and disgraced” the BJP government in the state, and said this is a testing time for CM Mohan Yadav.
“The deaths due to drinking contaminated water in Indore by the end of the year 2025 have shamed and disgraced our state, our government, and our entire system. This is a testing time for Mr. Mohan Yadav,” Bharti said.
In a series of posts on X, Bharti, who has also served as the water and sanitation minister in the Centre asked for accountability from those in charge. She added that Indore’s reputation for being the cleanest city in the state is marred by the “ugliness, filth, and poisoned water” that has claimed several lives and continues to do so. “The price of life is not Rs 2 lakh because their families remain immersed in grief for a lifetime. A severe atonement must be made for this sin, an apology must be sought from the affected people, and maximum punishment must be given to all the culprits from bottom to top,” Bharti demanded.
In another post, Bharti said that not just the Mayor of Indore, but the governance and administration of Madhya Pradesh as well as all those responsible for this must be taken to task.
In another post, Bharti asked who are the officials who said that their plan did not work, and why do they still have their positions intact. “Who is saying that our plan didn't work. When your plan didn't work, why did you continue to drink Bisleri water while sitting in your position? Why did you not leave the position and reach out to the public? There is no explanation for such sins – either atonement or punishment,” she further said.
She also apologised to the media fraternity for not being able to meet them for any exchange after the incident. Her post comes after a heated exchange between a TV journalist and senior party leader Kailash Vijayvarghiya took place after the leader abused the scribe for questioning the deaths and the water pollution leading to it.