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The opposition’s protests demanding the resignation of Kerala Health Minister Veena George intensified across the state on Saturday, July 5. Holding the Minister responsible for the death of D Bindu in the building collapse at Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, the Youth Congress staged marches to district medical offices and to the official residence of the Minister.
The police used water cannons after the protest turned violent in Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. Minor scuffles broke out between the police and protestors in Palakkad, Wayanad, and Pathanamthitta.
Bindu, a native of Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam, died after a dilapidated building of the MCH collapsed on Thursday, July 3. Veena, who rushed to the MCH soon after the collapse, had stated that the building was not in use and hence a search operation was unnecessary. Bindu’s body had remained under the rubble for close to 2.5 hours before rescue efforts were initiated. She was there in connection with the spinal surgery of her daughter when the accident took place.
The opposition alleged that the rescue efforts were delayed after ministers Veena and VN Vasavan ruled out possibilities of casualty.
Youth Congress workers also waved a black flag at Cooperatives Minister VN Vasavan in Kochi. Speaking to the media earlier, Vasavan had ridiculed the demand for the Minister’s reaction, saying, “Did the Health Minister herself topple the building? If there is a road accident, should the Transport Minister resign? If there is an aviation accident, should the Prime Minister resign”
DYFI defends Minister
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) state secretary VK Sanoj said that they will defend the Health Minister against all attacks. "The Youth Congress and the Congress party are making calls for riots. The Congress is exploiting [Bindu’s] death for their own agenda. They are challenging Kerala. Opposition leaders too have offices and residence. Don't force us to conduct marches to these places," he said.
Minister Vasavan, on the evening of Friday, July 4, visited the family of Bindu. The Minister said that the government would bear the cost of the follow-up treatment of Bindu’s daughter. He added that the hospital development committee would take a decision on offering a temporary job to Bindu’s son at the MCH.
Handing over Rs 50,000 as temporary assistance, the Minister said that the compensation for Bindu’s family will be announced after the next Cabinet meeting on July 11.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for the United States for a ten-day visit for medical treatment.