A 75-year-old retired teacher who had been at the forefront of protests against contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area died on Sunday, intensifying public anger and triggering a sharp political confrontation in Madhya Pradesh.

The deceased, Rajaram Bourasi, had actively led demonstrations demanding clean drinking water after residents complained of foul-smelling and polluted supply. His death marks the third such fatality in four days in the area, deepening concerns over a possible link between contaminated water and recent deaths.

Family alleges death due to polluted water

Family members and local residents alleged that Rajaram Bourasi’s death was caused by consuming contaminated drinking water. They claimed several people in the locality had fallen ill over the past month and accused authorities of failing to act despite repeated complaints and protests.

Residents pointed to an apparent mismatch between the number of deaths officially acknowledged by the administration and the compensation cheques issued by the government, adding to suspicions and panic in the locality.

Officials cite co-morbidities

However, officials maintained that the retired teacher’s death was due to existing health conditions. According to authorities, Bourasi suffered from co-morbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and his death could not be directly attributed to water contamination.

Despite these assurances, fear continued to spread among residents, many of whom demanded an independent inquiry and immediate corrective measures to ensure safe drinking water.

Political row intensifies

The incident has fuelled a fierce political row in BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh. The opposition Congress accused the state government of negligence and corruption.

State Congress president Jitu Patwari launched a scathing attack on the government, alleging that contaminated water had claimed 28 lives. In a post on X, he accused the administration of “poisoning citizens” and questioned Chief Minister Mohan Yadav over the alleged deaths.

Calls for accountability

The death of a protest leader has renewed calls for accountability, transparent reporting of casualties, and urgent steps to restore public trust. Residents and opposition leaders have demanded a comprehensive probe, medical audits of deaths, and immediate action to ensure safe drinking water for affected areas.