The Congress on Monday trained its gun at the BJP over the Satya Niketan PG building collapse, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “PR balloon” had been deflated and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi that when demands for accountability are raised, he himself mocks with insulting labels like “dimagi Naxal’, naaraj foofaji”.
In a post on X, in Hindi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, “Every time, the BJP government follows the same shameful pattern — no prevention before accidents, just grandstanding after them, pinning blame on a few low-level officers, while the real culprits remain unaccountable.”
He said that the collapse of the building packed with “students at Satya Niketan is no isolated tragedy”.
“In the last 4 months, 6 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,” he said slamming the BJP leaders government in the national capital
“And when you demand accountability, the Prime Minister himself slaps you with insulting labels like “dimagi Naxal’, naaraj foofaji” -the intent being to shame, defame, and silence anyone who dares to ask questions,” he said.
“For 12 years, this government has spun you around with lofty talk about the whole world, but never addressed the real issues. Delhi has a “triple engine” government, so what’s the excuse for this helplessness now? The helplessness stems from a lack of intent-because where there’s no intent, there’s no accountability either. There Is No Accountability,” he added.
Meanwhile, NSUI incharge Kanhaiya Kumar described the “four-engine government” in Delhi a killing machine claiming the lives of students.
A day after the five-storey building in the congested area near Delhi University’s South Campus collapsed, killing seven people, the Congress demanded that action be taken against all those responsible.
It also demanded that affordable accommodation be provided to students, a rent control act be brought for hostels and PGs and Rs 1 crore compensation be given to the family of those who have lost their lives.
Addressing a press conference along with NSUI president Vinod Jakhar, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar said it is unfortunate that there is no clarity even after 24 hours and the debris has not yet been fully cleared.
“There is no information on how many people are still trapped under the debris. The PG had 45 beds, it was Sunday, what if all the students were there? There were labourers working in the basement and students sit on the buildings steps as well. The police administration present there is not only failing to carry out relief and rescue operations properly, but is also engaged in the task of hiding the truth,” the NSUI in-charge said.
He alleged that the BJP has constructed five-star party offices in every district which don’t collapse, but bridges, roads, and government buildings collapses.
“There are many such incidents where students have lost their lives. In one place, a fire broke out in a coaching centre. In another, a library flooded with water in Rajendra Nagar area. In yet another, a student died from an electric shock. The question is—when will the BJP government take responsibility and accountability for this?” Kumar asked.
He also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Modi and said that he addressed students at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce on Saturday, he has time to send congratulatory messages to his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni but no time to visit Satya Niketan to express his condolences.
“The question that will be asked and it is Modi ji’s own words — whether it is act of God or an act of fraud. This is act of fraud. The four-engine government of the BJP is a killing machine — it is your MCD, your mayor, your MLA, you have a government in Delhi and an LG, you are the PM,” Kumar said.
“The PR balloon that PM Modi inflated a day before, has been deflated by this act of God,” Kumar said.
