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MP Assembly Winter Session: Congress MLAs Stage Play Over Chhindwara Child Deaths

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly's Winter Session kicked off with dramatic protests from Congress MLAs. They staged a symbolic play to highlight the tragic deaths of over 25 children in Chhindwara linked to contaminated cough syrup. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar blamed the BJP government for the tragedy and accused it of trying to suppress the issue. The short five-day session will see discussions on key issues and the presentation of several amendment bills.

Key Points: Congress Protests Chhindwara Cough Syrup Deaths in MP Assembly

  • Congress MLAs led by Umang Singhar protested the Chhindwara cough syrup tragedy in the Assembly
  • The protest featured a scripted play with an MLA portraying the demoness 'Surpanakha'
  • Laboratory tests found deadly diethylene glycol levels nearly 500 times the safe limit
  • The Opposition accuses the BJP of suppressing voices and shortening the session
2 min read

5-day Winter Session of MP Assembly starts with protests over Chhindwara deaths by Congress MLAs

Congress MLAs stage symbolic play in MP Assembly, blaming BJP government for over 25 child deaths linked to contaminated Coldrif cough syrup in Chhindwara.

"Corruption has peaked under the BJP government and the list of scams is growing. More than 25 innocent children have died due to the contaminated Coldrif cough syrup in Chhindwara. - Umang Singhar, Leader of Opposition"

Bhopal, Dec 1

The five-day Winter Session of the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha started with vociferous protests and a novel play by the Opposition members in and outside the House on Monday.

As the day's business began, Congress legislators led by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, Umang Singhar, braving the December cold, staged a symbolic protest that caught widespread media attention.

A group of Congress MLAs arrived holding posters highlighting the Coldrif cough syrup tragedy that killed over 25 children in Chhindwara and other adjoining districts a few months back.

The children, mostly under five years of age, suffered acute kidney failure and severe brain damage after consuming the contaminated syrup. Laboratory tests confirmed that the Coldrif syrup contained dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), with one batch showing a concentration of nearly 48.6 per cent, significantly above the internationally accepted safe limit of 0.1 per cent.

The Opposition MLAs' protest over the tragedy took a novel form as they performed a scripted play to highlight the Coldrif cough syrup tragedy. One woman Congress MLA played the role of demoness 'Surpanakha' and Singhar had a dialogue with her.

While this dramatic protest was going on, a group of Congress MLAs was standing in a circle with posters carrying slogans blaming the ruling BJP for the horrific incident.

"Corruption has peaked under the BJP government and the list of scams is growing. More than 25 innocent children have died due to the contaminated Coldrif cough syrup in Chhindwara," Singhar told media persons.

He accused the BJP government of trying to suppress the Opposition's voice and divert attention from public issues by curtailing the session's length.

The five-day Vidhan Sabha session will have four sittings for discussion on key issues and at least three key Bills (Amendment) will be presented in the House.

For the ongoing Winter session, the Assembly Secretariat has received a total of 1,497 questions from the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of the state.

It has also received 194 notices for calling-attention motions, six adjournment motions, 14 private members' resolutions, 52 zero-hour submissions, two notices under Rule 139 and 15 petitions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the protest is creative, I'm not sure a play is the most effective way to address such a serious tragedy. The focus should be on the systemic failure in drug regulation. 48.6% DEG is criminal. The session is only 5 days? That itself shows the priority of the ruling party.
P
Priya S
The opposition is doing its job by keeping this issue in the spotlight. The BJP government must answer for this. How many more children have to die before there is strict action against the manufacturers and the officials who gave the license? Jai Hind.
R
Rohit P
Surpanakha play? Really? This is a tragedy, not a mythology class. Both sides need to get serious. We need a proper debate on the Bills and questions, not just protests. But yes, the government cannot run away from answering for Chhindwara.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to the families in Chhindwara. As a mother, I cannot imagine their pain. The compensation announced is not enough. We need a complete overhaul of our drug quality control. This should be the top agenda, not just for 5 days but permanently.
V
Vikram M
The short session is a tactic to avoid scrutiny. With nearly 1500 questions, how can everything be addressed properly? The opposition has a right to protest. The real issue is the lives lost. The government's silence is deafening.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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