Raut claims 2,000 deaths in Kumbh stampede; sparks row in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday triggered an uproar in the Rajya Sabha by claiming that "2,000 people died" in the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede, prompting Deputy Chairman Harivansh to ask him to authenticate the figure.
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Raut questioned the official death toll of 30 in the stampede.
"When the stampede happened 4-5 days back, it was told (that) it was not stampede but a rumour...30 people died. Whether the figure is true? Don't hide it... We are responsible even if one person died...The figures that we have seen with our eyes is 2,000 people were dead," he said.
The Shiv Sena leader blamed "poor management" for the tragedy, terming the Kumbh a "political event for political marketing".
He said that in other countries, such an incident would have led to demands for the resignation of the prime minister and chief minister.
As treasury bench members protested, the Deputy Chairman told Raut, "If you mention any figure, you have to substantiate".
The MP agreed to authenticate the figure by evening.
Raut's remarks came a day after Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge referred to "thousands" of deaths in the stampede, leading to protests in the Upper House. The chairman had asked Kharge to retract his statement.
During his speech, Raut also alleged that "all pillars of democracy have been destroyed", and the government was preoccupied with elections.
"Unless from the Prime Minister to central ministries do not come out of the whirlpool of elections, the country will not progress," he noted.
BJP member Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde hit back at the Opposition, questioning why similar concerns were not raised about casualties in Ajmer.
The debate also saw Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam raising development issues in Chhattisgarh, while TMC's Prakash Chik Baraik sought recognition of 'sarna dharma code' for tribals in the census.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
