Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Bhopal, October 9 (IANS) Amid growing outrage over the death of children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district due to alleged consumption of poisonous Coldriff cough syrup, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to soon visit the district and surrounding areas and meet the bereaved families.
Although the Congress party has not yet released a formal itinerary, preparations are underway, and party leaders say the visit is driven by humanitarian concern, not political strategy.
“He is likely to come next week, the date of his arrival in Chhindwara has not been decided yet,” party sources told IANS.
Party sources said Gandhi wants to meet the affected families, share their grief and raise their voice.
The party has repeatedly accused the BJP-led state government of failing to take decisive action against those responsible for the tragedy and termed Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s comments as insensitive.
Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Sreesan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, has been linked to the deaths of at least 24 children across Madhya Pradesh.
Tests revealed the presence of the toxic industrial solvent diethylene glycol (DEG) in quantities well above permissible limits in the syrup.
The Tamil Nadu government has since banned the product and issued a show cause notice to the manufacturer, who was arrested by Madhya Pradesh police on Wednesday.
Political tensions have risen, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of exploiting the tragedy for electoral gains.
Madhya Pradesh minister Narendra Shivaji Patel blamed the Tamil Nadu government, run by Congress allies, for laxity in drug inspection, and questioned why Rahul Gandhi did not hold his party colleagues accountable. Meanwhile, medical professionals across the state have joined the protest. At a virtual meeting of the Progressive Medical Teachers Association, representatives of all medical colleges pledged to wear black badges in solidarity with government doctor Praveen Soni, arrested in connection with the case.
The association condemned the arrests as unjust and accused the government of protecting top officials while targeting frontline workers.
However, the government has removed the drug controller and chief medical and health officer of Chhindwara, suspended a deputy director and two drug inspectors.
With four children still in critical condition in Nagpur hospitals, public pressure is increasing for a transparent investigation and speedy justice.
–IANS
sktr/svn