Indore: Indore witnessed a fresh political controversy on Wednesday after Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya lost his temper while responding to media queries regarding deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in the city’s Bhagirathpura area. The incident, captured on camera, triggered sharp reactions from the opposition and renewed questions over accountability amid an ongoing public health crisis.
Bhagirathpura, which falls under Vijayvargiya’s Indore-1 Assembly constituency, has been grappling with a diarrhoea outbreak allegedly caused by contaminated drinking water. According to official health department data, at least four deaths have been confirmed so far due to the outbreak, while over 200 people have required hospitalisation. Several patients have since been discharged after receiving treatment, but concerns continue to linger among residents regarding the safety of water supply and access to healthcare.
The controversy unfolded when Vijayvargiya, who also holds the urban development and housing portfolio, visited the affected area and interacted with reporters on Wednesday night. Initially responding calmly, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader appeared visibly irritated when questioned about why patients who had sought treatment at private hospitals had not been reimbursed for their medical expenses. He was also asked why adequate arrangements for clean drinking water had not been made in advance, despite complaints from local residents.
Reacting sharply, the minister told reporters to avoid asking what he termed “unnecessary questions.” This exchange escalated into a brief argument with a journalist, during which Vijayvargiya used an objectionable word. Videos of the interaction soon circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and sections of the public.
As the backlash intensified, Vijayvargiya issued a statement expressing regret over his remarks. In his clarification, he attributed his reaction to exhaustion and emotional distress caused by the unfolding tragedy. “My team and I have been continuously working in the affected area for the past two days without sleep to improve the situation. My people are suffering due to contaminated water, and some have lost their lives. In this state of deep grief, my words came out wrong in response to a media question,” he said, adding that he would not rest until the situation was brought fully under control.
The opposition Congress seized upon the episode to mount an attack on the BJP-led state government. Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Jitu Patwari shared the video clip on social media and accused BJP leaders of arrogance and insensitivity towards public suffering. He demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav seek Vijayvargiya’s resignation on moral grounds, alleging that the government had failed to take responsibility for preventable deaths caused by toxic water.
Meanwhile, conflicting figures regarding the death toll further fuelled the controversy. While the health department confirmed four deaths linked directly to the outbreak, other officials and local representatives cited varying numbers. The district administration reported that nearly 150 people were admitted across multiple hospitals, while the Indore mayor indicated that some deaths occurred after patients were hospitalised. Medical authorities stated that patients reported symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration after consuming contaminated water.
Chief medical and health officer Madhav Prasad Hasani said preliminary investigations suggested that contamination may have occurred due to a leak in the main water supply pipeline passing beneath a toilet in the Bhagirathpura area. District magistrate Shivam Verma confirmed that emergency measures had been put in place, including intensified medical surveillance, water quality testing and the supply of safe drinking water through alternative arrangements.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the situation as “emergency-like” and assured strict action against those found responsible for the contamination. He said the state government was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with health and municipal authorities to prevent further casualties.
