Harish Rao Criticizes Congress for Student Deaths
Harish Rao Blames Congress for Student Deaths in Telangana
In a sharp rebuke of the current Congress government, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) senior leader and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao accused the Congress administration of negligence resulting in the tragic deaths of 36 students in Telangana welfare residential schools over the past 10 months. These students reportedly succumbed to various preventable causes, including food poisoning, which Rao claimed had been overlooked by the state government. Speaking to the media on November 5, Rao expressed his frustration and sadness over the conditions in these schools, where he believes Telangana student deaths could have been avoided with adequate attention and accountability.
Visit to NIMS Hospital Following Food Poisoning Incident
On Tuesday, Harish Rao visited NIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, where several students from the Wankidi Gurukul are receiving treatment following an alleged food poisoning incident. Among those being treated are three young girls—Mahalakshmi from 8th grade, and Jyothi and Shailaja from 9th grade. Rao updated the media on their conditions, noting that while Mahalakshmi was showing signs of recovery, Jyothi remained critical, and Shailaja was on a ventilator fighting for her life.
“This sight is truly heartbreaking. Some students continue to suffer severe symptoms due to food poisoning,” Rao stated during his visit, highlighting the dire situation in these welfare schools. He emphasized that Telangana student deaths reflect severe failures within the government’s infrastructure, which he believes has failed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students in these institutions.
Criticism of Congress Ministers’ Priorities
Harish Rao further criticized Congress leaders, particularly women and child welfare minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), for being away from the state and focusing on election campaigns in Maharashtra instead of addressing the pressing issues within Telangana. Seethakka was reportedly campaigning in Maharashtra on the day of the food poisoning incident, which raised concerns among the public and the BRS about the priorities of Congress ministers.
Rao suggested that ministers should be more focused on urgent issues at home, especially when children’s lives are at stake. He added, “The chief minister and his council of ministers are busy with elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, leaving Telangana’s welfare schools in disarray. The daily reports of poor conditions in these schools demand immediate attention, not mere token gestures from the government.”
600 Incidents Reported in Telangana Schools in Seven Months
Rao revealed that nearly 600 incidents, including cases of food poisoning, snake bites, rat bites, and even electric shocks, have been reported within Telangana’s residential schools over the past seven months. He pointed out that these incidents have become increasingly common, yet the government has not implemented any effective measures to prevent further tragedies. “These Telangana student deaths serve as a reminder of the urgent need for reform in our welfare residential schools. The loss of 36 young lives should prompt immediate corrective actions, but instead, the Congress government has shown no signs of accountability or remorse,” Rao alleged.
According to Rao, these tragic incidents could have been avoided if the Congress-led administration had paid more attention to improving the conditions in these institutions rather than focusing on political campaigns in other states. He questioned how much longer the government would continue to ignore the deplorable state of these schools, where the safety of students remains at constant risk.
Call for Long-Term Solutions Over Temporary Fixes
Expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response, Harish Rao emphasized the need for sustainable reforms rather than temporary solutions. “Instead of band-aid solutions, we need lasting measures to protect our children and ensure their wellbeing,” he stated. Rao urged the Congress government to conduct an internal review of welfare school policies and establish a system of accountability that would prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
He argued that these Telangana student deaths were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of negligence that has plagued the welfare schools for years. “The lack of internal review and absence of accountability within Congress-run welfare programs is leading to preventable tragedies,” he said. Rao reiterated the need for immediate reforms and accountability measures to protect students from unsafe conditions in residential schools.
The Call for Accountability and Immediate Action
As he concluded his remarks, Harish Rao called on the Congress government to prioritize the safety and welfare of students. He believes that the absence of accountability within the administration is not only a disservice to the people of Telangana but also a betrayal of the state’s youth. Rao emphasized that Telangana student deaths are a tragic outcome of neglect, and that the lives lost cannot simply be overlooked.
In light of these events, Rao urged the government to take immediate action by investigating the conditions of welfare residential schools and instituting meaningful reforms. He hopes that by drawing attention to these tragedies, the Congress government will finally recognize the urgency of the situation and take steps to prevent further loss of life.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, summarizing statements made by public figures regarding recent events. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not represent the stance of this publication.
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