Gorakhpur: As Families Mourn Children’s Deaths, Who’s Responsible?

After the death of 64 children in Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, questions are being raised about the governance of Yogi Adityanath's BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Known as 'Baba' in Gorakhpur district, the families of deceased children are extremely angry at Yogi Adityanath. Those who until yesterday would not hear a word against Yogi Adityanath, are now speaking against him.

The Quint spoke to the families of deceased children and residents of Ekla village to get a sense of the situation.

Four-year-old Deepak was one of the children who died in BRD Medical College and Hospital in Gorakhpur. Deepak's father, Bahadur remembers the morning of 9 August, when he says UP CM Yogi Adityanath visited the hospital for inspection. The entire hospital was busy in his visit's preparation and subsequently, Deepak was not able to get appropriate medical attention. Bahadur had gone to the hospital in the hope that his son's life would be saved, but he returned empty-handed and disappointed.

Deepak's mother, Nandini, says that initially, no medical college was willing to admit her son. She says,

After Baba’s visit (Yogi Adityanath), there was no one who was willing to admit my son.

Nandini, Deepak’s mother

Amit, also from Ekla village, says that people used to worship Yogi Adityanath, but now he is not so sure about how he feels about him.

It is unusual to hear of such sentiment against Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur and its surrounding areas. But after the death of children in Gorakhpur, people’s faith in him has changed. Although, it maybe that there were high hopes pinned on Yogi Adityanath.

Sixty four children have died in the past six days in Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College. Out of the 64, some children have died due to a lack of oxygen supply. Since the night of 10 August, oxygen supply to children was disrupted. It is being reported that the oxygen supply was cut off for two hours - from 11.30 pm to 1.30 am. The situation was resolved in some manner by 11 August, but it was too late.

Thirty-two families reportedly lost their children from 9 to 11 August. As of now, the principal of the Medical College has been suspended and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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