Protests by Karnataka BJP Demand Resignation of Ministers Rao and Hebbalkar Over Maternal Deaths
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Bengaluru, Jan 1 (NationPress) The President of the Karnataka BJP Women's Wing, C Manjula, has urged the resignation of Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar, accusing them of failing to address the issue of maternal deaths within the state.
During a press conference at the BJP state office in Bengaluru on Wednesday, she labeled Minister Rao as wholly ineffective in tackling maternal mortality rates and insisted that he resign.
Additionally, she condemned Minister Hebbalkar for her absence in visiting or supporting the families of the deceased and called for her resignation too.
In response to the government's inaction regarding maternal fatalities, the BJP Women's Wing plans to hold district-level protests statewide, commencing from Thursday (January 2), with demonstrations in five districts daily.
Manjula has also demanded that the government allocate Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the families of each deceased mother and take responsibility for ensuring financial, social support, and quality education for their children.
Highlighting the tragic case of a pregnant woman, Renuka Hiremani, who died in Koppal, she detailed the circumstances surrounding the 23-year-old's death after being transferred from Kushtagi hospital to the district hospital during her first delivery.
Manjula questioned whether this was the so-called “death guarantee” that the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah government had promised, describing the incident as both tragic and distressing.
Previously, the Karnataka BJP had criticized the state government during the Winter Session of the Assembly concerning the maternal death crisis reported throughout the state.
Leader of Opposition, R. Ashoka, highlighted the alarming situation in the Legislative Assembly, stating that women are now afraid to visit government hospitals.
During discussions regarding maternal deaths in the Legislative Council, Health Minister Rao advocated for stricter regulations against the powerful pharmaceutical industry in the nation.
“I want to convey that drug-related laws are not strong. There is no history of action being taken against pharmaceutical companies,” Health Minister Rao stated.
The state government has referred the case of maternal deaths for judicial investigation.
Reports of maternal deaths have emerged from several government hospitals in Ballary, Raichur, and other areas in northern and central Karnataka.
