The New Indian Express ·
Politics
Rahul slams govt over Delhi PG collapse, says PM slaps labels like 'naraaz phoopha' on those who ask questions
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the BJP government of evading accountability for the Satya Niketan building collapse and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi resorts to derogatory labels such as "dimagi Naxal" and "naraaz phoopha" for those who question the government.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha asked what the excuse for this helplessness was when Delhi has a "triple-engine" government, saying it stems from a lack of intent.
"There Is No Accountability," Gandhi said in his post in Hindi on X, using the hashtag "TINA".
Supporters of the prime minister often cite the "TINA" factor -- There Is No Alternative -- to argue that Modi is the only capable and indispensable leader for India.
Gandhi said, every time, the BJP government follows the same shameful pattern -- no prevention before accidents, just grandstanding after them, and pinning the blame on a few low-level officers, while the real culprits remain unaccountable.
"The collapse of the building packed with students at Satya Niketan is no isolated tragedy. In the last four months, six people died in a similar disaster in Saidulajab, and a fire in Hauz Rani claimed 22 lives.
"Every time, lives, dreams, and aspirations get buried under rubble -- and every time, any real action is nowhere to be found. And when you demand accountability, the prime minister himself slaps you with insulting labels like 'dimagi Naxal and naraaz phoopha' -- the intent being to shame, defame, and silence anyone who dares to ask questions," he said.
For 12 years, this government has spun people around with lofty talk about the whole world, but never addressed the real issues, Gandhi claimed.
Delhi has a "triple-engine" government, so what is the excuse for this helplessness now, he asked.
"The helplessness stems from a lack of intent -- because where there's no intent, there's no accountability either," Gandhi said.
His remarks come a day after the five-storey building in the congested area near Delhi University's South Campus collapsed, killing seven people.
(With inputs from PTI)
