KYS Protests against Uttar Pradesh Government’s negligent attitude leading to death of Children in Gorakhpur

The activists of Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) along with other progressive citizens of the city gathered at Uttar Pradesh Bhawan on Wednesday in New Delhi to protest against the UP govt’s negligent role which led to death of more than 70 children over the last week. 

KYS stated that, it should be known that despite its tall claims, the UP govt. is apathetic towards the well-being of the people of the state. The administration’s negligence has resulted in deaths, but instead of taking responsibility for the incident and ensuring immediate relief measures to contain the crisis, the apathetic role of the govt. has exacerbated the death-count. Such attitude reveals the anti-people nature of the state govt. which instead of solving real issues foments discord among its people.

KYS furher alleged that, the BJP govt has made big cuts in the health budget, leading to a crisis in public health system. Moreover, the govt’s move to privatize public health sector by outsourcing essential services such as supply of oxygen to private companies, in effect passes on the responsibility of people’s health to these companies. In the present incident too, the private company cut down the supply of oxygen cylinders once its payment was delayed, without any compunctions about endangering the lives of scores of children. Clearly, such apathy is bred by the anti-people stance of the govt bent on allowing private companies to profit at the expense of citizens’ lives.

The KYS activists demanded that the UP Chief Minister and Health Minister should immediately accept responsibility for the crisis and resign.