Tadepalli (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 6 : Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy squarely blamed the gross negligence of the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government for the tragic death of tribal girl students in Parvathipuram Manyam district.
Talking to X, YS Jagan said the collapse of the RO plant at the Kurupam Girls' Tribal Gurukul school forced students to consume contaminated water, triggering a jaundice outbreak. Within just four days, two young girls lost their lives, while many more fell seriously ill.
Despite 611 students in the school, the state government has shown shocking indifference, as stated in the release.
"Is this how a responsible government responds? What are the Chief Minister and his ministers doing while poor children are dying? Are you blind to the plight of tribal girls?" he asked.
Recalling his tenure, YS Jagan said the YSRCP government treated education as a sacred mission, transforming schools into temples of learning through the Nadu-Nedu program.
"We provided 11 categories of infrastructure, electricity, lights, fans, furniture, digital panels, safe drinking water, toilets and more. To protect children's health, RO plants were installed. We introduced Amma Vodi, English medium, transition to CBSE and IB, TOEFL training, tabs for Class 8 students, subject teacher system, and nutritious midday meals. Through constant monitoring and reviews, we ensured no child suffered," he said.
He criticised Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh, who now heads the education department, of colluding with private interests and systematically destroying public education.
"The good reputation of government schools under our rule has been ruined. Because of your misdeeds, nearly 5 lakh students have dropped out of government schools," YS Jagan stated.
Pointing to repeated negligence, he said hostel food poisoning, failure to repair RO plants, and unsafe school conditions have become routine.
"This very negligence has today claimed the lives of innocent tribal girls. These deaths are nothing less than government murders," he declared.
Demanding moral responsibility, YS Jagan urged Chandrababu Naidu to apologise to the bereaved families.
"At the very least, the government must wake up now, ensure safe facilities in schools, and protect children's health. The families of the deceased must be given Rs. 25 lakh compensation each immediately, because these deaths are the direct result of government failure," he demanded.