By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: On the opening day of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly’s winter session, the Congress Legislature Party staged a strong symbolic protest in the Assembly premises, condemning the tragic deaths of children linked to the toxic cough syrup incident in Chhindwara.
Leader of the Opposition, Umang Singhar, accused the BJP government of maintaining “a dangerous silence while wearing the mask of Putana” as he demanded accountability for the poisonous medicines that claimed the lives of several infants. Singhar said that many families in Chhindwara have been devastated, with mothers left bereaved, yet the government has failed to fix responsibility within the Health Department or initiate decisive action against those at fault.
He alleged that the state’s “helpless, negligent and corrupt health system” has committed a grave injustice against innocent children. Singhar stressed that the government is solely responsible for drug quality, licensing, testing, and supply-chain monitoring. Despite this, no transparent investigation report has been made public, nor has any senior official or minister been held accountable.
Describing the episode as not merely medical negligence but a “systemic criminal failure”, Singhar held the Shivraj–Mohan Yadav government and the BJP fully answerable for the disaster. He added that the grief of the affected families in Chhindwara has engulfed the entire state, raising urgent questions:
Who permitted the procurement of the toxic medicines?
What action has been taken against the company and responsible officials?
Why is the government withholding an authentic list of deaths and critically ill children?
Issuing a stern warning, Singhar declared that the Congress would continue its fight for justice. “Until punitive action is taken against every responsible officer, minister and company, and until every affected family receives fair compensation and support, we will raise this issue inside and outside the Assembly,” he said.
