New Delhi: A day after an INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Thursday visited Jagla village in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district to meet tribal families who have lost children to illness and malnutrition. He said he was there on behalf of the entire Opposition and would raise the concerns in Parliament.
At a press conference with the affected families after the visit, Rahul Gandhi described the situation as a government failure.
“This is a complete government failure in Madhya Pradesh. Wherever you go, you see it; it is a total, 100 percent government failure,” Rahul Gandhi said.
“I will raise this issue in the Lok Sabha. I will raise not just their case, but the issue of (lack of) what is being done for all the tribals across the country,” he added.
The Congress said more than 30 tribal children have died in the affected areas, citing malnutrition and diseases, including malaria and measles. Gandhi also said the families had been left without adequate government support in healthcare, education and employment.
“Many children here have died due to illness and malnutrition. Furthermore, the support the government ought to provide, whether regarding healthcare, education, or employment, is completely absent here,” he said.
He also flagged unresolved questions over tribal land and welfare rights, including MGNREGA and the Forest Rights Act.
“There are unresolved issues concerning their land, MGNREGA, the Forest Rights Act, and land rights; yet, no support is being provided,” Gandhi said, urging the government to provide hospitals and schools in the area.
Taking a swipe at the BJP government’s development claims, Rahul Gandhi said tribal communities have been left without basic support.
“You talk about development around the clock, even while corruption runs rampant 24/7; yet, when our tribal brothers and sisters are in need, you are nowhere to be found,” he alleged.
“On behalf of the Opposition and the Congress Party, I want to send this message: Do your job. Provide educational facilities and hospitals here, and ensure these people receive what is rightfully theirs,” Rahul Gandhi added.
Rahul Gandhi also assured the families of support from the Congress, saying, “We have assured them that as soon as our government comes to power, we will assist them.”
The visit came a day after the INDIA bloc meeting, where Opposition parties discussed coordinated action over their concerns regarding the Election Commission and electoral rolls.
Ahead of the Balaghat visit, Rahul Gandhi had said his purpose was to stand with the bereaved families.
“To meet those tribal families who have lost their innocent children due to illness and the neglect of the BJP government. By spending time with them, I want to tell them that they are not alone in this grief—I am with them,” he had posted on X.
मैं आज बालाघाट आ रहा हूं।
उन आदिवासी परिवारों से मिलने, जिन्होंने बीमारी और BJP सरकार की उपेक्षा के कारण अपने मासूम बच्चों को खोया है। उनके साथ वक्त बिताकर उन्हें बताना चाहता हूं कि इस दुख में वो अकेले नहीं हैं – मैं उनके साथ हूं।
कुछ दिनों पहले केन-बेतवा आंदोलन के आदिवासी…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 1, 2026
He also said the Balaghat visit would look at wider concerns among tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, referring to the Ken-Betwa project and issues raised by tribal students over schools, colleges, hostels, examinations and reservation.
Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh also took a swipe at the BJP.
“Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat, where the BJP’s double-engine government holds sway, more than 30 innocent tribal children have lost their lives. These children didn’t even receive the slightest blessing from the system. In this ruthless regime, their only fault was that they were alive at this time. Wherever the BJP’s double-engine government exists across the country, the memory of tribals surfaces only when their water, forests, and land need to be seized to render them homeless, when they need to be tormented. After that, they become invisible to them,” he said on X.
भाजपा की डबल इंजन सरकार वाले मध्य प्रदेश के बालाघाट में 30 से ज्यादा मासूम आदिवासी बच्चों की जान चली गई। इन बच्चों के हिस्से सिस्टम का तनिक-सा आशीर्वाद भी नहीं आया। इस निर्मम शासन में उनका कसूर बस इतना था कि वे इसी समय में जी रहे थे।
देशभर में जहां भी भाजपा की डबल इंजन सरकार है,…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 1, 2026
(Edited by Viny Mishra)