Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 1 October 2026, visited Jagla village in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, to meet Baiga tribal families who have lost children amid reports of illness and malnutrition, demanding that the Mohan Yadav government immediately plug gaps in healthcare, education, land rights, and welfare delivery in the state's tribal belt. Gandhi reached Balaghat by road from Birsi Airport in Maharashtra, stopping at a government primary school en route to enquire about mid-day meals served to students.

Disputed Death Toll at the Centre of the Visit

Gandhi's visit to Birsa block came directly against the backdrop of a contested death toll among tribal children. The Madhya Pradesh administration has acknowledged 32 deaths, while the Indian National Congress (Congress) claims the actual figure stands at 43. The discrepancy has sharpened political tensions over welfare delivery in the region. After meeting the bereaved families, Gandhi said the crisis was not limited to child deaths alone but reflected systemic failures in the delivery of basic services and government schemes across the state's tribal communities.

What Gandhi Said: Land, Compensation, and Forest Rights

'There are issues regarding land, rural employment scheme and land rights. Many children have died, yet their families have not even received proper compensation. Half of the people have not received compensation,' Gandhi told reporters at the site. He specifically demanded that tribal families be granted their entitlements under the Forest Rights Act, including formal land titles. 'At the very least, they should be granted their rights under the Forest Rights Act and receive their land titles. Provide education and hospitals here,' he said.

Welfare Scheme Exclusions and MGNREGA Criticism

Gandhi also raised concerns about alleged exclusions from welfare schemes, claiming that tribal beneficiaries receiving assistance under one government programme were simultaneously being denied benefits under the Ladli Behna Yojana. He argued that such entitlements could not be withheld from eligible recipients. Separately, he criticised the reported renaming of MGNREGA, contending that the government should focus on making the employment guarantee scheme functional rather than merely rebranding it.

Healthcare, Education, and a Sharp Political Message

Gandhi questioned the state of healthcare and educational infrastructure in remote tribal villages, arguing that official claims of development must be matched by ground-level delivery. 'It appears as though they have been abandoned in the heart of India, with neither the Central government nor the Madhya Pradesh government seemingly present,' he said. He also reiterated the Congress's position on terminology, stating that the party uses the term 'Adivasi' — referring to original inhabitants — while alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and RSS prefer the term 'Vanvasis'. Approximately 1,500 people from surrounding villages gathered at Jagla to meet him, according to Congress leaders.

Political Context and What Comes Next

This is not the first time tribal welfare in Madhya Pradesh has drawn national political attention. The state's Baiga, Gond, and other scheduled tribe communities have long been flagged by activists and opposition parties for inadequate access to Forest Rights Act entitlements and welfare scheme implementation. Gandhi's visit — coming ahead of the next legislative session — is likely to intensify pressure on the Yadav government to respond with documented figures on deaths, compensation disbursed, and Forest Rights Act titles issued. The Congress is expected to raise the matter in Parliament as well.