The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested a report from the Madhya Pradesh government within two weeks regarding a media report that highlighted seven deaths and 40 hospitalizations due to consuming contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore district. Residents had reportedly raised concerns about contaminated water supply for days, but no action was taken by the authorities. The NHRC, taking suo motu cognisance, emphasized that if the news report is accurate, it points to serious human rights violations.
The media report mentioned that the main pipeline supplying drinking water to the area passed beneath a public toilet, leading to sewage water mixing with the drinking water due to a leakage in the main line. Additionally, broken water distribution lines in the area resulted in contaminated water reaching households. The situation escalated politically when Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari demanded the resignation of ministers on moral grounds, criticizing the lack of free treatment and sympathy for the victims.
Social media outrage ensued as over 2,000 residents suffered from severe vomiting and diarrhea, highlighting administrative failures in maintaining Indore’s reputation as the “cleanest city.” The crisis, attributed to a leakage in the main Narmada water supply pipeline exacerbated by an overhead toilet, drew criticism towards Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. The Minister faced backlash for his dismissive response to accountability questions during a media interaction, prompting widespread condemnation for his behavior.
