Bhopal, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday raised concerns over healthcare, education, welfare delivery and land rights in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal belt during a visit to Balaghat, where he met families who had lost children amid reports of illness and malnutrition.
Gandhi visited Jagla village in the Birsa block and met Baiga tribal families against the backdrop of a dispute over the number of child deaths in the area. The Madhya Pradesh administration has acknowledged 32 deaths, while the Congress has claimed the toll stands at 43.
Following his interaction with the families, Gandhi said the issue extended beyond the deaths and pointed to wider gaps in access to basic services and the implementation of government schemes.
“There are issues regarding land, rural employment scheme and land rights. Many children have died, yet their families have not even received proper compensation. Half of the people have not received compensation,” he told reporters.
Gandhi urged the government led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to ensure that tribal communities receive benefits guaranteed under existing laws and schemes, particularly land titles under the Forest Rights Act.
“At the very least, they should be granted their rights under the Forest Rights Act and receive their land titles. Provide education and hospitals here,” he said, questioning the availability of healthcare and educational facilities in remote villages.
The Congress leader also alleged that some tribal beneficiaries receiving assistance under one government scheme were being denied benefits under the Ladli Behna Yojana. He called for eligible beneficiaries to receive their entitled support.
Gandhi criticised the renaming of MGNREGA, saying the focus should be on making the employment guarantee scheme functional rather than changing its name. He also alleged that tribal families had been abandoned by both the state and Central governments.
Reiterating the Congress’ use of the term ‘Adivasi’, Gandhi said it referred to the original inhabitants of India and alleged that the BJP and RSS used the term ‘Vanvasis’.
Gandhi travelled by road from Maharashtra’s Birsi Airport to Balaghat, stopping at a government primary school, where he interacted with students for around 15 minutes and enquired about their mid-day meals. Congress leaders said around 1,500 people from nearby villages gathered in Jagla to meet him.
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