A grief-stricken family in Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, was forced to carry the body of their deceased relative on their shoulders after a government hospital allegedly failed to provide a hearse vehicle — an incident that has since sparked widespread outrage and political controversy. The episode unfolded on Sunday night after Kandi Venkanna, 45, who had been admitted with heatstroke, succumbed during treatment.

What Happened in Bhadrachalam

Kandi Venkanna had been undergoing treatment for heatstroke at a government hospital in Bhadrachalam when he passed away on Sunday night. The hospital staff allegedly made no arrangements for a vehicle to transport the body. With the family in poor financial condition and no alternative available, they were compelled to carry the body on their shoulders — reportedly for over a kilometre.

Videos and photographs of the family carrying the body circulated widely on social media, drawing immediate public attention. By Monday, the district administration had ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Political Backlash Against the Congress Government

Opposition parties moved swiftly to condemn the incident, directing their criticism at the Congress-led state government. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T. Harish Rao, a former minister, questioned whether this was the 'Praja Palana' — or people's rule — that voters had been promised. He also referenced a separate incident in Tandur, where a pregnant woman reportedly delivered her baby on a railway platform after the 108 ambulance service allegedly failed to respond to repeated calls.

BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao said the incident illustrated how far Telangana had deteriorated under Congress governance. 'No support even when alive… This Congress government has brought Telangana to a state where even the minimum respect isn't accorded after death,' he posted on X. He added that during the previous BRS administration under K. Chandrashekar Rao, dedicated vehicles for transporting mortal remains were arranged to preserve the dignity of the poor in their final journey.

Kavitha Demands Accountability

Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) leader K. Kavitha alleged that the Bhadrachalam hospital administration had failed to provide a hearse even for a person who died from a heatwave. 'Reading the news that the financially struggling family carried the body on their shoulders for over a kilometre brings tears to the heart,' she said. Kavitha demanded that the Revanth Reddy government accept moral responsibility for the lapse and called for strict action against the officials responsible.

Inquiry Ordered, Questions Remain

The district administration's inquiry order on Monday signals official acknowledgement of the failure, but has done little to quell the political storm. This incident comes amid broader concerns about the state of public healthcare infrastructure in Telangana, particularly for low-income patients. Notably, this is not the first time a government hospital in the state has faced criticism for failing to provide basic post-mortem services to families without financial means.

With the inquiry under way, pressure is mounting on the state government to explain how a functioning public hospital could have left a grieving family without even the most basic assistance — and what systemic changes will follow.