Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday strongly criticized Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for their silence on the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu, where more than 50 people have died and nearly 200 have been hospitalized.
“More than 200 people are still in hospital in a critical stage. 56 people have died and most of them are from the scheduled caste… I condemn the incident. I am shocked that the Congress has not uttered a word against this. In a state where licensed liquor is available from shops run by the government called ‘TASMAC’,” Sitharaman told news agency ANI.
She highlighted the gravity of the situation, pointing out that despite the availability of licensed liquor, chemical-based illicit liquor was being served in the city of Kallakurichi. Sitharaman questioned the absence of Congress leaders in addressing the tragedy. “Where is the Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge?… Where is Rahul Gandhi?… He contests elections just because he is assured that he will win… When Dalits are dying because of spurious liquor, not a statement comes from Rahul Gandhi… I demand that this whole matter be given to the CBI for investigation,” she added.
The Congress party is part of the ruling alliance with the INDIA bloc partner Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. The BJP has criticized the opposition alliance, suggesting that INDIA bloc leaders who have not spoken on the issue should show remorse by gathering near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex and observing a moment of silence for the lives lost.
“More than 56 people have died… many are still critical. More than 40 of those who died consuming spurious liquor are Dalits. This is state-sponsored murder and I am surprised that the Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi, leaders of the DMK and those of other constituents of the ‘INDI Alliance’ are silent on it,” BJP MP-elect Sambit Patra said at a press briefing.
In response to the tragedy, the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has ordered a judicial inquiry. The inquiry will be led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas, who is expected to submit a report within three months.