Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), October 1: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met the families of tribal children who died in Balaghat and alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government had failed to provide adequate healthcare, education and employment opportunities to tribal communities in the region.
Gandhi alleged that several children had died amid illness and malnutrition and claimed that government support in healthcare, education and employment was inadequate. He also raised issues related to land rights, MGNREGA and implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
“Many children here have died due to illness and malnutrition. The support the government ought to provide, whether regarding healthcare, education or employment, is completely absent here,” Gandhi said while addressing a press conference in Balaghat.
He called for better hospitals and schools in tribal areas and urged the government to fulfil its responsibilities towards the affected communities. Gandhi also said the Congress would assist the families if the party returned to power.
“This is a complete government failure in Madhya Pradesh. I will raise this issue in the Lok Sabha, not just their case, but the issue of what is being done to all the tribals across the country,” he said.
Gandhi's visit came amid reports of more than 32 deaths among tribal children in tribal-dominated areas of Balaghat. However, the exact number of deaths and the medical circumstances have been subject to evolving official assessments.
A Centre-led investigation has reportedly identified multiple health conditions among affected children, including measles, malaria, co-infections, respiratory distress, dehydration, malnutrition, anaemia and shock, rather than a single disease or pathogen.
