Rahul Gandhi’s Indore meeting denied permission officially:Visit limited to Bombay Hospital, Bhagirathpura; 24 deaths reported from contaminated water so far in city

Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is set to visit Indore on January 17 to meet the families of victims who died due to sewage contamination. The Madhya Pradesh Congress, in a post on X, confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will travel to Indore on Friday. The death toll in the tap water contamination case has risen to 24. However, the district administration has denied permission for his proposed meeting with Congress leaders and urban local body representatives, significantly curtailing his visit schedule. Administration denies permission for Congress meeting The Congress had planned a large meeting involving councillors, mayors, and presidents and vice-presidents of municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats from across Madhya Pradesh. The event was proposed at Abhay Prashal and Anand Mohan Mathur Auditorium, with permission sought for around 1,000 attendees.
The district administration, however, did not grant approval for the meeting. Congress says meeting cancelled State Congress organisation in-charge Dr Sanjay Kamle said that due to the denial of permission by the administration, the meeting has been cancelled. As a result, Rahul Gandhi’s Indore visit will now be limited to a few specific engagements. Rahul Gandhi to meet victims and affected families According to the revised programme, Rahul Gandhi will first visit Bombay Hospital, where he will meet patients who fell ill due to contaminated water and their family members. He will then proceed to Bhagirathpura to meet families who lost their relatives due to the water contamination.
In view of the visit, the district administration remains on high alert. Congress announces statewide protest from January 17 to 31 The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee has announced a phased statewide agitation from January 17 to January 31, 2026. The protest will focus on three key issues: restoration of legal rights under MGNREGA following recent changes, deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, and the deteriorating water quality across the state. Protest begins with Rahul Gandhi’s visit The first phase of the agitation will begin on January 17. On this day, Urban District Congress Committees will observe a one-day fast at the district level over the Bhagirathpura incident and water quality concerns. The fast will be held from 11 am to 4 pm.
In rural districts as well, fasts will be organised focusing on MGNREGA and water quality issues. Second phase: Awareness and water testing drive The second phase of the agitation will run from January 18 to January 31. During this period, the Congress plans to conduct public awareness campaigns, collect data and evidence related to water quality, and carry out testing of water sources near contaminated supply points, sewage lines, and industrial waste zones. The party has stated that the movement aims to highlight what it calls systemic failures in ensuring safe drinking water and protecting citizens’ basic rights.