Rahul Gandhi meets families of deceased tribal children in Balaghat, alleges Government neglect

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited Jagla village in Balaghat district and met families of Baiga tribal children who died amid reported cases of illness, malnutrition and malaria. He travelled by road from Gondia in neighbouring Maharashtra, where he had arrived by air.

Gandhi spent around an hour interacting with the affected families and hearing their concerns. Many tribal residents from neighbouring villages also gathered at Jagla during his visit. According to available reports, 32 tribal children have died in Balaghat district over the past three months, with malnutrition and malaria among the reported causes. Congress has claimed that the actual number of deaths is higher.

After meeting the families, Gandhi said tribal people were entitled to their rights and alleged that they had been left without adequate support from the Centre and the state Government. He alleged that the state Government had failed to address the health situation in the affected areas effectively and said he would raise the issue in Parliament.

Gandhi raised concerns over healthcare, education and employment facilities in tribal areas. He alleged that affected families had not received full compensation and called for stronger implementation of the Forest Rights Act, revival of MGNREGA work and better access to schools and hospitals.

He said tribal communities should receive the full benefits of Government schemes they are eligible for. Gandhi also said tribal people should be referred to as ‘Adivasis’ rather than ‘Vanvasi’, describing them as the country’s original inhabitants. He said the Congress would work to secure their rights in education, healthcare and employment if voted to power.

Before visiting Jagla, Gandhi stopped at the Government primary school in Mate and interacted with students about the mid-day meal programme and their educational facilities.

The visit has triggered a political exchange between the Congress and BJP. While Congress has raised concerns over healthcare, malnutrition and welfare delivery in the tribal belt, BJP leaders have questioned Gandhi’s visit and its political purpose.

The reported deaths have brought renewed attention to healthcare access, nutrition, welfare delivery and tribal rights in Balaghat’s remote areas. The exact number and causes of individual deaths remain subject to official assessment, with political parties citing different figures.