Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya Loses Temper at Media Query, Later Expresses Regret
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The incident took place in Bhagirathpura, one of the areas of Indore, where at least 13 people have died and over 150 residents have been hospitalized after consuming polluted drinking water. As political tension mounted over the tragedy, an NDTV reporter questioned the minister about reports that families of hospitalized patients had not yet received reimbursement for treatment expenses.
Irritated by the question, Vijayvargiya reportedly said, “Leave it, don’t ask free (useless) questions,” and also used an inappropriate remark before leaving the spot. His comments triggered protests and heated reactions, with the issue continuing to spark debate for hours. Later, the minister expressed regret over his remarks.
Background of the Case
The deaths caused by contaminated water in Bhagirathpura have raised serious concerns about civic negligence and public health safety in what is often hailed as India’s cleanest city. Given the gravity of the situation, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav visited Indore on Wednesday evening and met affected patients in various hospitals.
Congress Demands Resignation
The opposition Congress party strongly condemned Vijayvargiya’s behavior. Pradesh Congress Committee president Jitu Patwari took to X (formerly Twitter), tagging the Chief Minister and writing that neither free treatment nor empathy was being provided to the victims, while ministers were using abusive language.
He demanded Vijayvargiya’s resignation on moral grounds, stating that such conduct was unacceptable at a time when citizens were grieving the loss of lives.
The incident has further intensified the political storm surrounding the Indore water contamination tragedy, with questions being raised about accountability, governance, and sensitivity toward victims.
