By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jeetu Patwari has launched a fierce attack on the state government over the deaths of 16 children in Chhindwara, allegedly caused by the consumption of toxic cough syrup. Calling the incident a “government-sponsored murder”, he held Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the Health Minister directly responsible.
Patwari, who visited Parasia to meet the bereaved families, described their pain as “beyond words” and demanded strict criminal action against those responsible — including drug manufacturers, distributors, and senior health officials. Participating in a day-long fast at Fawwara Chowk, he paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and the deceased children, joined by hundreds of Congress workers and leaders including MLAs Sunil Uikey, Sohan Valmik, Nilesh Uikey, and others.
He accused the BJP government of shielding the real culprits while blaming doctors, and criticised the Health Minister’s “irresponsible denial” of adulteration in the syrup. Patwari demanded the minister’s immediate dismissal, ₹1 crore compensation for each affected family, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the tragedy and similar deaths over the past two years.
Calling Madhya Pradesh “a hub of substandard medicines under BJP rule,” Patwari warned that if no action is taken, Congress will launch a state-wide agitation. “This is not politics — it’s about the future of our children,” he declared, urging citizens to unite and demand accountability.
