New Delhi, Oct 5 (NationPress) In light of the heartbreaking incident where 11 children in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh lost their lives after ingesting a toxic cough syrup, political figures have vehemently condemned the government and are calling for stringent action against the pharmaceutical companies that jeopardized the safety of children.

The children consumed ‘Coldrif’, a cough syrup produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Tamil Nadu's Kanchipuram. While there were initial signs of recovery, the children's health quickly declined, resulting in kidney failure and their untimely deaths.

Laboratory tests revealed a shocking 48.6 percent presence of diethylene glycol, a dangerous industrial solvent, in the cough syrup.

In response to this tragedy, Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh criticized the government for its inadequate response.

“The BJP government shows alarming insensitivity towards our children. These medications were banned as far back as 2007 during the UPA administration, yet a company with political ties continued their production. Now, actions are being taken merely for appearances. The true culprits are the manufacturers, while small shopkeepers and doctors are being unfairly targeted to divert attention from the real issue,” Singh stated.

Echoing these concerns, Congress leader Udit Raj demanded immediate repercussions for those violating safety regulations.

“Whether it pertains to pharmaceuticals, food items, or beverages, safety standards are routinely ignored, and offenders escape unpunished. Anyone found guilty of producing adulterated or substandard products should face imprisonment swiftly,” he emphasized.

Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, also criticized the negligence exhibited by pharmaceutical companies.

“These companies are endangering our children's health. The government must take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the younger generation, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is the government's fundamental duty to prevent such perilous practices,” he stated.

Following the incident, authorities have initiated legal proceedings against Dr. Praveen Soni, who administered the syrup, and Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control has declared the syrup as “Not of Standard Quality,” leading to a statewide ban on its sale and distribution in Madhya Pradesh.