Gorakhpur deaths: Not the first such incident in country, says Amit Shah

The BJP president said the deaths were a tragedy and an inquiry had been ordered by the UP government, which was being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Speaking about the death of children at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Gorakhpur on Monday, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah said it was not the first such incident in the country.

Relatives carry a child at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital, in Gorakhpur district on Monday. (PTI)

Reacting to Congress’ demand that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath step down in light of the tragedy, Shah said it was the opposition party’s job to demand the resignation.

“Itne bade desh main bahut saare haadse hue hain, yeh pehli bar nahi hue hain. Aur Congress sarkaron main bhi hui hain.” (In such a big country, many such incidents have taken place, this is not the first time. And this has happened even under Congress governments.)

Shah said the deaths were a tragedy and an inquiry had been ordered by the state government, which was being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“But using this, you cannot deny our intentions to develop the poor. Those found guilty in the inquiry will be punished.”

Regarding the UP government circular asking for Krishna Janmashtami to be celebrated with pomp, Shah said the order was in keeping with local traditions. “If people want to celebrate the festival, we cannot stop them,”the BJP chief said.