Jhansi hospital tragedy sparks 'chuna' row: UP DyCM orders action against those behind VIP welcome (WATCH)

A heart-wrenching tragedy struck Jhansi’s Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College late Friday night, when a devastating fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), claiming the lives of 10 newborns. The fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, left 16 other infants in critical condition, sparking public outrage and drawing attention to hospital safety lapses. But the incident took a controversial turn when it was revealed that elaborate preparations were made for the arrival of Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, leading to calls for accountability. Also read: Jhansi hospital fire: Grieving father claims negligence, staff threats; loses hope of child being alive| WATCH Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, arrived in Jhansi to assess the situation following the tragedy. However, videos on social media showed hospital staff sprinkling lime (chuna) on the roads around the hospital in what appeared to be an effort to welcome the Deputy Chief Minister. The visuals immediately went viral, drawing strong condemnation from political parties and the public alike. UP के डिप्टी CM बृजेश पाठक ने कहा– मेरे आने से पहले झांसी मेडिकल कॉलेज में चूना डलवाने वालों पर DM कार्रवाई करें। #JhansiFire https://t.co/oAOAcqYx7W pic.twitter.com/eKu2AUUQYF — Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) November 16, 2024 In a video statement, Pathak expressed his dismay over the act and ordered the local authorities to take strict action against those responsible for the unnecessary preparations. "Before I arrived, someone applied lime on the road, which is completely inappropriate. I condemn this act and urge the district magistrate to identify those behind it and take stringent action," he said. The controversy has fueled a larger debate about the insensitivity of the state government, with the Congress accusing the BJP of prioritizing image-building over the tragedy. "Look at the insensitivity of the BJP government. On one hand, children were burned to death, and their families were weeping and grieving. On the other hand, lime was being sprinkled on the roads to welcome the Deputy Chief Minister. The families even claimed that the entire compound was filthy, but it was cleaned up before the Deputy Chief Minister's visit," the Congress tweeted. BJP सरकार की संवेदनहीनता देखिए। एक ओर बच्चे जलकर मर गए, उनके परिवार रो रहे थे, बिलख रहे थे। दूसरी तरफ, डिप्टी CM के स्वागत के लिए सड़क पर चूने का छिड़काव हो रहा था। परिजनों का यहां तक कहना है कि पूरे कम्पाउंड में गंदगी फ़ैली हुई थी, जो डिप्टी CM के आने से पहले ही साफ की गई।... pic.twitter.com/M1sk8SAa0E — Congress (@INCIndia) November 16, 2024 The tragic fire, which occurred around 10:45 pm in the NICU, also revealed significant safety lapses at the hospital. Fire extinguishers were found to be expired, and safety alarms failed to go off, raising serious questions about the hospital's preparedness for such an incident. While the fire department and a three-tier investigation have been launched to probe the incident, the BJP-led state government has been criticized for not ensuring basic safety measures. The Samajwadi Party (SP), an ally of Congress, criticized the condition of government-run hospitals in the state, claiming that they had become a "den of misery and corruption." "There were no arrangements in the hospital to save the children... The BJP is a completely insensitive party. People are dying, but these people will never take responsibility," party spokesperson Juhie Singh said. In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial compensation for the victims, with Rs 5 lakh being offered to the families of each deceased child. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, offering financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each deceased child. झांसी के महारानी लक्ष्मीबाई मेडिकल कॉलेज के नवजात शिशु गहन चिकित्सा कक्ष (एसएनसीयू वार्ड) में अग्निकाण्ड की हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना में मृतक बच्चों के पीड़ित परिजनों को 5-5 लाख एवं घायलों को 50-50 हजार रुपए उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार की ओर से दिए जाने का निर्णय लिया गया है। मैं... — Brajesh Pathak (@brajeshpathakup) November 16, 2024 झांसी के महारानी लक्ष्मीबाई मेडिकल कॉलेज के नवजात शिशु गहन चिकित्सा कक्ष (एसएनसीयू वार्ड) में अग्निकाण्ड की हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना की त्रिस्तरीय जांच के निर्देश दिए गए हैं। प्रथम दृष्टया आयुक्त झांसी एवं उपमहानिरीक्षक झांसी द्वारा 24 घंटे में जांच कर रिपोर्ट प्रेषित करने के... — Brajesh Pathak (@brajeshpathakup) November 16, 2024 Earlier today, Pathak stated that strict action would be initiated against those found guilty. "Instructions have been issued to launch a three-tier probe into the incident. The Divisional Commissioner of Jhansi and the DIG have been told to investigate the matter and the fire department will also look into it. Along with this, instructions have also been given for a magisterial inquiry into the incident," the deputy chief minister said on X. Also read: Jhansi hospital fire: Grieving families of newborns charred to death ask 'kaun dega mera baccha' (WATCH) Interacting with reporters, he said efforts are on to identify the newborns who were charred in the blaze. "We will find out the reasons behind the incident and whose negligence led to it. The first challenge is to give quality treatment to the injured children."