Congress Criticizes BJP Government Following Fatal Building Collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, alleging that corruption and administrative negligence led to the collapse of a five-storey PG building near Delhi University’s South Campus on Sunday. Seven people have been killed in the tragedy so far, with the opposition demanding accountability and action against those responsible. Addressing a press conference, Congress leader and NSUI in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar demanded action against all those responsible for the collapse. The party also sought affordable accommodation for students, a rent control law for hostels and paying guest (PG) facilities, and compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of those killed. “There is no information on how many people are still trapped under the debris. The PG had 45 beds. It was Sunday — what if all the students were there?” he said.

‘Modi went to SRCC for PR, why not Satya Niketan?’

Kumar accused the BJP-led government of prioritising publicity over accountability, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday. “Prime Minister Modi has time to send congratulatory messages to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni but no time to visit Satya Niketan to express his condolences,” Kumar said, news agency PTI reported. Taking a swipe at the BJP’s description of governance through a “four-engine government”, Kumar said, “The four-engine government of the BJP is a killing machine — it is your MCD, your mayor, your MLA, you have a government in Delhi and an LG, you are the PM.” He alleged that the government had failed to take responsibility for a series of incidents in which students had lost their lives, including fires at coaching centres, flooding in libraries and electrocution incidents. “The question is — when will the BJP government take responsibility and accountability for this?” he asked.

Congress alleges nexus over illegal PGs

Kumar also alleged that while BJP offices had been built to high standards, public infrastructure continued to deteriorate. “The BJP has constructed five-star party offices in every district which don’t collapse, but bridges fall, roads break and government buildings collapse,” he said. He alleged that corruption was behind the Satya Niketan collapse and claimed that the incident had exposed the gap between the government’s publicity campaigns and ground realities. “The PR balloon that PM Modi inflated a day before has been deflated by this act of God,” Kumar said. He said questions would have to be answered by Prime Minister Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, local MLAs, the mayor, councillors and the MCD commissioner.

Kumar also questioned the role of Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, alleging that he had frequently praised Modi.

Police case, magisterial inquiry ordered

The NSUI has demanded that hostels be constructed within Delhi University, illegally operated hostels and PGs be shut down, and a rent control law be introduced for student accommodation. The five-storey building, which housed a boys’ paying guest accommodation, collapsed while repair work was underway. Police have registered a case against the building owner and others in connection with the incident. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to determine the circumstances leading to the collapse and fix responsibility.