Patna – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the ruling NDA government, accusing it of gross negligence and administrative failure following the death of a Dalit girl at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). The incident, which has sparked public outrage and renewed debates over healthcare and caste-based discrimination, prompted Gandhi to hold the “double-engine government” responsible for the tragedy.
In a statement shared on social media and reiterated during a press briefing, Gandhi said that the death of the young girl was not just a personal tragedy but a reflection of systemic apathy towards the marginalized communities in India.
“The double-engine government has failed to ensure basic rights and services for our Dalit sisters and daughters. This is not just negligence — this is injustice,” he said.
According to reports, the girl was brought to PMCH with critical symptoms, but she was allegedly denied timely medical attention, leading to her death. Her family has claimed that hospital staff showed indifference, and the necessary emergency care was not provided. The incident has drawn criticism from civil society, opposition parties, and activists who demand a thorough investigation.
Rahul Gandhi also questioned the silence of the state and central leadership on the issue, highlighting that access to quality healthcare is a constitutional right, and failure to deliver it — particularly to historically oppressed communities — is a serious breach of public duty.
He called on the Bihar government and central authorities to order a judicial inquiry, ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“In Modi's India, there seems to be no urgency when it comes to the lives of the poor and Dalits. We must rise above politics and protect human dignity,” Gandhi added.
The Congress party has also issued a formal letter to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, demanding intervention and a review of healthcare protocols in government hospitals across Bihar.
Meanwhile, the Bihar government has promised an internal inquiry and said it is awaiting the post-mortem report. However, the administration has yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident.
Several Congress leaders visited the girl’s family to express solidarity and offer support. Local party workers staged protests in Patna, demanding justice and improved healthcare infrastructure.
Political analysts note that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks are in line with the Congress party’s broader positioning on social justice, especially ahead of key state elections. His criticism of the so-called "double-engine government" — a term used for BJP-led administrations both at the centre and state — underscores ongoing opposition efforts to highlight administrative gaps under NDA rule.
As the public awaits accountability and reforms, the tragic death of a young Dalit girl continues to raise uncomfortable questions about inequality, governance, and the functioning of critical public institutions in India.
