Indore water contamination: Vijayvargiya uses objectionable word before media, regrets later
Indore (PTI): Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya lost his temper while responding to media questions on the contaminated drinking water incident in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area and used an objectionable word on camera.
As the controversy escalated, the MP cabinet minister expressed regret over his remark. The opposition Congress demanded his resignation, accusing BJP leaders in the state of arrogance.
Bhagirathpura falls under Vijayvargiya’s Indore-1 assembly constituency. Health department data shows four deaths due to a diarrhoea outbreak linked to contaminated water in the area, while 212 patients required hospitalisation. Fifty patients have been discharged after recovery.
Vijayvargiya, the state’s urban development and housing minister, initially answered questions calmly while interacting with the media on Wednesday night. However, when asked why several patients from Bhagirathpura had not received refunds for bills paid to private hospitals and why proper drinking water arrangements had not been made for residents, he suddenly lost his temper.
The senior BJP leader said, “Leave it, don’t ask free (unnecessary) questions.”
An argument then broke out between Vijayvargiya and a journalist who had raised the question, following which the minister used an objectionable word.
After the video of the interaction went viral on social media, Vijayvargiya issued a statement expressing regret.
“My team and I have been working continuously in the affected area for the past two days without sleep to improve the situation. My people are suffering due to contaminated water, and some have lost their lives.
“In this state of deep grief, my words came out wrong on a media question. I express my regret for this. However, I will not rest until my people are completely safe and healthy,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Jitu Patwari shared the video on social media, claiming that “deaths due to toxic water in Indore had risen from eight to 10”.
He accused BJP leaders of arrogance and demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav seek Vijayvargiya’s resignation on moral grounds.
CM Yadav on Wednesday described the diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirthpura area as an "emergency-like situation" and assured strict action against those responsible. He said 212 patients were hospitalised, of whom 50 had been discharged after recovery.
Never expected any Indian Journalist to give it back to someone as powerful as Kailash Vijayvargiya, Amit Shah's man.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 31, 2025
Seeing this video of an Indian Journalist questioning and holding power accountable brings hope. @Anurag_Dwary ✊ pic.twitter.com/q8ZrvuRVjf
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Karnataka suspends 5,947 driving licences in 2025, Bengaluru tops list with 4,479 cases
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Transport Department has suspended 5,947 driving licences (DLs) across the state in 2025 so far, with Bengaluru Urban accounting for the highest number at 4,479 cases, officials said.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express, of the total suspensions, 4,735 licences were cancelled for drunk driving (DD), making it the single largest cause of action. Officials said 1,512 cases, involving rash and negligent driving and other traffic violations, are still pending with Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).
"Drinking and driving will not only harm them, but also puts at risk the lives of pedestrians and others. To bring in discipline, the department suspends DL in the very first offence for DD," TNIE quoted Transport Minister R Ramalinga Reddy as saying.
Joint Commissioner of Transport Department, Bengaluru Urban Division, M Shobha said after receiving reports from the traffic department, they are sent to the regional transport offices concerned, and action is taken.
Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner of Traffic (Bengaluru City) Karthik Reddy said standing instructions have been issued to all 53 traffic police stations to intensify checks, especially during weekends.
"There is zero tolerance towards DD cases. Once caught, the license is referred to the transport department for suspension with immediate effect," he said.
Officials said licences can be suspended for three to six months. "The hearing is held in some cases, and based on the replies from motorists and reports from the traffic department, further steps taken," he said.
As per the report, the transport department on the eve of New Year on Dec-31 has announced that emission validity for new vehicles will extend for one year, unlike in the past, which was for five months only. New vehicles do not require an emission test for 1 year; after that, emission tests are mandatory at regular intervals.
