Fourteen deaths at a Delhi government-run shelter home for the mentally challenged in a month have shocked the national capital. A child is believed to be among the deceased.
While the BJP has demanded CM Arvind Kejriwal's resignation, the AAP government has assured of strict action against those responsible for the deaths. The AAP has also accused the BJP of being selective in its approach to sympathising with the victims of tragedies.
A high-level inquiry has now been ordered into the 14 deaths in July at the shelter in Rohini. The directive was issued by Delhi minister Atishi, who expressed shock and concern over the alleged lack of adequate facilities and care leading to these fatalities.
The inquiry will investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which allegedly occurred due to health issues and malnutrition. Atishi has demanded a full report within 48 hours, including recommendations for action against those responsible and measures to prevent such incidents in the future. "A magisterial inquiry was ordered soon after the news about shelter home deaths came. The preliminary report will come in 24 hours.
NCW Slams AAP
The National Commission For Women has demanded that Atishi be held responsible for the alleged negligence. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma posted on X: "Shelters run by Delhi government has become death trap for innocent people. in the capacity for 250 people Asha Kiran has 450 people staying without proper food, water and medication. Atishi should be made responsible for contaminated water they are been provided [sic]."
"Most of the women died in Asha Kiran Shelter home run by Delhi government were under 40 years. Young lives are lost because of shear negligence of Delhi Government. Who is responsible for these deaths [sic]," she sought to ask Atishi.
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who has fallen out with the AAP over the Bibhav Kumar assault case, visited the Asha Kiran shelter home in Delhi.
Deaths Spark BJP-Vs-AAP War
The BJP has also taken notice of the incident, with its MP from northwest Delhi, Yogendra Chandoliya, announcing plans to raise the issue in Lok Sabha. Party leaders attempted to visit the shelter home but were denied entry, leading to a protest. AAP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said: "Twenty-seven deaths have occurred here [the Rohini shelter] in the past few months... AAP's negligence and corruption are to be blamed. The causes of the deaths seem to be dirty water, infection, tuberculosis, and pneumonia... Why did the government not do anything? This cannot be resolved until Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi will resign..."
Delhi minister Gopal Rai, however, countered the BJP, saying that they were selective in their approach. "They did not protest over the deaths of mother and son, who drowned in a waterlogged drain since that matter comes under DDA. They ran away from there. I want to say that this dual model of politics has to stop," Rai was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.