Jamtara: The alleged death of a woman and her newborn due to medical negligence at Jamtara Sadar Hospital has sparked a major political row, with the BJP staging a large protest on Friday and accusing the Jharkhand government of failing to provide adequate healthcare.
Led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, BJP workers marched from Jamtara Sadar Hospital to the Collectorate, raising slogans against the state government and the district administration. During the protest, party leaders criticised the government over healthcare, employment, education, recruitment examinations, road infrastructure, law and order, and alleged corruption.
The demonstration stems from the July 17 deaths of Reena Devi and her newborn, which the BJP claims resulted from lapses in treatment at the district hospital. The incident had earlier triggered public outrage, with angry locals vandalising parts of the hospital and blocking a nearby road.
Following the unrest, the hospital administration lodged a complaint, based on which police registered an FIR against eight people. Those named include BJP district president Sumit Sharan, district general secretary Kamlesh Mandal, BJP Yuva Morcha district chief Kunal Singh, town president Pradeep Rawat, along with several unidentified individuals.
Addressing the gathering, Marandi described the police action as “authoritarian” and accused the state government of ignoring public concerns while prioritising its own interests. He alleged that Jharkhand’s healthcare system was in poor condition and questioned the functioning of government ambulance services.
The BJP leader also claimed there were irregularities in the state’s tendering process, alleging that commissions were being taken and contracts were being awarded to those close to the government. He further accused the administration of overlooking illegal mining and irregularities in the sand, iron ore, and coal sectors.
Marandi said that despite Jharkhand’s rich mineral resources, the state’s residents were not receiving the benefits they deserved.
Former MP Sunil Soren accused the district administration of acting in a partisan manner and urged officials to discharge their duties impartially. Former minister Randhir Singh questioned the state of healthcare services and alleged that the district administration was functioning under political pressure.
Former MLA Sita Soren, who contested the Jamtara Assembly election as a BJP candidate, called the government’s six-and-a-half-year tenure a failure. She raised concerns over healthcare, employment, and education, and alleged that young people demanding their rights were being booked in criminal cases.
With inputs from IANS