Jhansi | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Sat, 16 Nov 2024 12:50:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Jhansi | SabrangIndia 32 32 10 newborn innocents killed in Jhansi’s medical college, UP govt orders three-tier probe, faces criticism for negligence https://sabrangindia.in/10-newborn-innocents-killed-in-jhansis-medical-college-up-govt-orders-three-tier-probe-faces-criticism-for-negligence/ Sat, 16 Nov 2024 12:49:23 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=38809 System collapse in UP: in a massive fire broke out at a neonatal ward of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, 10 newborn innocents’ loose their life; grieving parents of deceased asking only one question “Who will bring back our children?”

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]]> On the late night of November 15 (Friday), a devastating fire erupted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Reports confirm that at least 10 newborns lost their lives, while 17 others were injured in this tragic incident.

The fire that engulfed the NICU ward between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM triggered a stampede-like chaos within the hospital. Six fire brigades were quickly deployed to control the blaze, which was finally extinguished by 12:30 AM. Sources revealed that the safety alarms failed to activate, delaying the evacuation. The Chief Medical Superintendent stated that the fire started at an oxygen concentrator and spread rapidly, reported Times of India

Jhansi DM Avinash Kumar confirmed that the fire in the NICU was caused by a short circuit. He added that the majority of the newborns in the unit were safely rescued, but refrained from commenting on how many remain in serious condition.

Also, Jhansi DIG Kalanidhi Naithani said that there are 54 infants in the ward. Sixteen suffered minor injuries and 28 are safe. The DM office Jhansi also issued a helpline number to information about family members regarding the accident that happened in Medial College Jhansi.

Parents recounts the horror of tragedy in hospital

As flames engulfed the ward, parents frantically tried to rescue their children amidst chaotic instructions and a lack of clear communication from hospital authorities. For Rani Sen, an aunt of one of the affected infants, the entire ordeal remains clouded in confusion. “They told us to go in and take our children, but by then, many had already perished,”. She raised concerns about the hospital’s identification process, demanding DNA tests to confirm her baby’s fate. “If the tags were burned or misplaced, how can they be sure which child is mine? I even found a baby who wasn’t mine and admitted him under my name,” she said, as TOI reports.

Another mother, Santoshi from Mahoba district, described the helplessness she felt during the fire. “I don’t know where my baby is. The fire broke out, and I couldn’t get inside to save him. No one could. Everyone was running in panic,” she said, adding that the hospital had previously denied her access to her child.

UP govt announce ex gratia and orders three-tier probe

Following instructions from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, along with the Principal Secretary of Health and ADG of Kanpur, were dispatched to Jhansi to oversee the rescue operations. The CM also directed the Jhansi Divisional Commissioner and DIG to submit a report on the incident within 12 hours.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced that a three-tier investigation will be conducted into the devastating fire at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi. Speaking to reporters on November 16, (Saturday), Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak vowed that strict action would be taken against those found responsible. He also assured support for the families of the deceased infants. “The death of these newborns is deeply unfortunate. We are working with the families to identify the bodies. The first probe will be conducted at the administrative level by the Health Department, followed by an investigation by the Police administration. The fire department will also be involved, and a magisterial inquiry will be carried out. We will thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire,” Pathak stated.

In the wake of the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. “On the CM’s instructions, Rs 5 lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased newborns, and Rs 50,000 to the families of those injured,” as confirmed by the DM office, Jhansi.

Additionally, PM Modi also announces ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased

Opposition slams Yogi govt over the incident, said “direct case of negligence”

Former UP Chief Minister and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the tragic fire at Jhansi Medical College. He expressed his condolences to the families and called the incident a result of negligence in medical management or substandard equipment. Yadav criticized the Yogi government for focusing on election campaigns rather than addressing the state’s deteriorating healthcare. “This is not just a government responsibility, but also a moral duty” he wrote on his social media handle X.

Akhilesh Yadav demanded a thorough investigation and urged the government to provide world-class medical care and Rs. 1 crore compensation to the grieving families.

However, Leader of Opposition and Member of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi also slammed the government over the tragic incident at Jhansi Medical College. He said on X that, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Jhansi Medical College, which has led to the death of several newborns and left many others injured. My heartfelt condolences to the affected families.

He further said that, “the series of such tragic events happening one after another in Uttar Pradesh raises serious questions about the negligence of the government and administration.”

NHRC takes suo moto cognizance

Moreover, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also takes suo motu cognizance of the incident. The NHRC called the incident disturbing and a clear case of negligence, violating the human rights of the victims. NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, seeking a detailed report within a week, including the status of the FIR, actions taken, medical care for the injured, and compensation to the victims’ families.

Despite the hospital horror, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s focus seems to be on external political issues, such as addressing opposition accusations and campaigning in other states, rather than confronting the glaring failures in his own state’s healthcare system. How can the state’s leadership prioritize political rhetoric like “Batoge Toh Katoge” (you’ll face consequences) in other states, while such a horrific tragedy unfolds under their own watch?

The heart-wrenching cries of parents in Jhansi, asking, “Who will bring back our children?” demand a moral reckoning from those in power.

Related:

Infant mortality rate: UP records highest rate for SC at 57.8, Chhattisgarh at 41.6 for ST

Shrey Hospital Fire: Victims’ families move court demanding CBI inquiry

Gujarat: 18 Covid patients killed in Bharuch hospital fire!

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]]> Dharma and humanity are like our two eyes: The secular philosophy of Jhansi https://sabrangindia.in/dharma-and-humanity-are-our-two-eyes-secular-philosophy-jhansi/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 04:25:11 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/08/11/dharma-and-humanity-are-our-two-eyes-secular-philosophy-jhansi/ SabrangIndia takes you to Jhansi, the land of Queen Laxmibai, where secularism and unity are the way of life

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Secularism

First published on 1st Sept 2020

Festivals do not jostle for the limelight in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh and neither does religion. Every year, the city streets are interspersed with the merriment of Hindu processions and the Namaaz prayers read by their Muslim neighbours. Although festivals have been confined to indoor events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the unity among the people of Jhansi has remained unchanged since colonial times.

According to Dharma Guru Pandit Hariom Pathak, Muslims in the city used to shower flowers at the Ganeshotsav processions passing by their houses until last year.  Similarly, Hindus celebrate the Islamic tradition of Mourning in the month of Muharram by decorating ‘tazias’ in their houses.

“Our children have always been taught to observe equality as per the teachings of Rani Laxmibai. So, there is no question of any communal conflict,” he said.

By this, Pandit Pathak refers to the Bundelkhand history and legacy left behind by the late queen of Jhansi Laxmibai. Few people bother to remember that the iconic ‘Jhansi ki Rani’ was not only a revolutionary feminist warrior but also a leader who respected people from all religions and gave Muslims a place in her kingdom as well as in her army. In fact, she was an important ally of the Nawab of Banda Ali Bahadur. Thus, the people of Jhansi remember her by keeping any communal conflicts at bay.

According to the Principal of Madrsa Islamiya Jama Masjid Saraya Middle school Suhail Arshad, Hindus and Muslims have always celebrated each other’s festivals in Jhansi. During religious holidays, the Principal even welcomed curious children to learn about the different festivals celebrated in the city.

“It’s not just Muslims and Hindus.  Every person from all religions lives together in harmony in Jhansi,” said Maulana Mohammad Hasheem Shaher Qazi of Imam Jama Masjid.

“We are Indians and shall remain so. We will always have our feeling of brotherhood, no matter what happens anywhere else,” he said, remembering the lack of enmity following the Babri Masjid incident.

Administrative officials proudly display the city and its secular lifestyle. Voicing the sentiments of Pandit Pathak, the Maulana said Jhansi owes it all to Queen Laxmibai and her secular reign.

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“Every fire is started by a small spark. We never let that spark of hate burn here,” said Maulana Hasheem. He said that citizens here visited temples, masjids, churches, regardless of religion and supported if not celebrated each other’s faith. When asked whether the idol celebration such as Ganesh pooja poses a conflict considering the Islamic tenets against idol-worship, Maulana said, “This [celebration and respect of various faiths] is humanity. Humanity is above religion [dharma] because religion teaches us that humanity is within humans.”

Similarly, Shaher Qazi Mufti Sabir Qasmi said, “Humanity and dharma are like our two eyes. We cannot look at things using only one eye. We have to use both to understand our surroundings.”

While most people do not directly interact with the other community’s tradition, they try to support each other in every way they can. Even now, Muslims supported Hindus’ decision to worship small clay-idols of Lord Ganesha that were submerged in buckets meant to water plants. Other times, Muslims would put up water stalls and offer prasad (religious offerings) to those participating in the Hindus processions.

Unlike the rest of India, Jhansi is also free of discriminatory concepts such as ‘love jihad.’ Thus, although unusual, city-folks do not frown at inter-faith marriage. Laughing, the Mufti proclaimed that no one could oppose a consenting marriage. Moreover, they ensure that meat-shops remain closed during Hindu and Jain festivals out of mutual respect. People also make donations for festivals of other communities. 

Over the years, many local newspapers and news portals have praised Jhansi and Bundelkhand area for the camaraderie with which Hindus and Muslims have celebrated each other’s festivals. During the peace committee meetings, people sit together before every event and have a lengthy discussion to avoid conflict.

“We sort of have a mixed culture of our own here. Not even corrupt politicians can create a rift among the people,” said Pandit Pathak.

The solidarity among the people is acknowledged by the police as well. Inspector Sunil Kumar of Barausagar police station said he has never seen any communal ill-will among people in the district. Last year, AltNews had detected a fake viral video that claimed communal violence in Barausagar, Jhansi. However, even such activities had failed to tear the social fabric of the city.

“Outsiders often come to our city with their own prejudices. Some have tried to create problems here but over the years, they learn to adapt to the city’s peace.” said Pandit Pathak. “You can try to break our peace but you can’t. We are a family that has grown up together.”

Maulana Hasheem once again assents to this claim and points out that regardless of festivals, religious leaders come together at least once every fortnight.

“I feel the entire country should be like this. Otherwise, all the fighting will kill all forms of celebration. Here we only know how to love, not hate,” said Maulana Hasheem.

 

Related:

Muslim leaders angry after MP government ignores Muslim freedom fighters in advertisements
In Tamil Nadu, Hindus observe ‘Allah Festival’ on eve of Muharram

 

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]]> EVM and VVPAT machines found in two vehicles in Jhansi and one EVM machine disappears in Mahoba a day after polling https://sabrangindia.in/evm-and-vvpat-machines-found-two-vehicles-jhansi-and-one-evm-machine-disappears-mahoba-day/ Tue, 30 Apr 2019 10:31:50 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2019/04/30/evm-and-vvpat-machines-found-two-vehicles-jhansi-and-one-evm-machine-disappears-mahoba-day/ UPDATE: The district magistrate of Jhansi, Shiv Sahay Awasthi, has responded to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Uttar Pradesh on the complaint of EVMs being found in the City Magistrate’s car. In the letter to the CEO, Awasthi has said that the EVMs found in the car were faulty and were being taken to the […]

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]]> UPDATE: The district magistrate of Jhansi, Shiv Sahay Awasthi, has responded to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Uttar Pradesh on the complaint of EVMs being found in the City Magistrate’s car. In the letter to the CEO, Awasthi has said that the EVMs found in the car were faulty and were being taken to the store room at the Bhojla Mandi site. The complainants were then called at the site and were shown the unused and faulty EVMs and VVPAT after which they left satisfied. The store room has now been sealed.

The Election Department has started investigating the seized machines and the opposition has alleged that this incident is linked to the many EVM scams being reported from the area.


 
Jhansi: Two vehicles loaded with EVM machines were seized in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh as the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections was underway on Monday.
 
According to the information received, the EVM machines were loaded in the City Magistrate’s car, while the VVPAT machines were kept in a private car. As the police arrived after receiving this information, the people transporting the EVM machines fled the scene. The Election Department has started investigating the seized machines and the opposition has alleged that this incident is linked to the many EVM scams being reported from the area.

 
In another UP constituency, glaring negligence was reported during the fourth phase of elections in the Hamirpur-Mahoba Tindwara Lok Sabha seat 47. The EVM machine suddenly disappeared after the voting process was completed last evening due to the negligence of the presiding booth officer. The machine disappeared from the strong room where it was kept for recalibration. The loss of the machine caused a lot of chaos and confusion and even after searching for the whole day, all the top officials, including the District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police were unsuccessful in locating the machine. At present, the police and administrative superintendents are busy looking for the EVM machine, while the other personnel involved in the polling, including the careless presiding officer, are in custody and investigation is underway.
 
The incident happened in the village of Nogaanv Fandna in the Panwadi police station area of Mahoba. After the completion of the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, the EVM machines were kept in the strong room at a state Polytechnic college. When the machine was not found at its designated spot, its disappearance caused panic among all the polling officers including the district presiding officer.
 
Taking the matter seriously, all the officials including District Election Officer Sahdev, Superintendent of Police Swaminathan tried to find the access machine in the village but were unsuccessful. The Police and administrative officials are searching for the EVM machine with the help of the villagers who are camping in the village.
 
Meanwhile, the administrative authorities seem to be avoiding the entire incident. Nagaych, the first voting officer, Razia Begum, the second polling officer, Amarendra Kumar, the third polling officer and presiding officer Kamlesh Kumar are being questioned in police custody. The police are interrogating villagers to get to the bottom of this issue.
 
(Article translated from Hindi.)
 

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