NEW DELHI – Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday, September 8, 2026, launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, attributing the recent collapse of a student accommodation building in Delhi's Satya Niketan to a recurring pattern of governmental negligence and lack of accountability.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, September 7, near Delhi University's South Campus, involved a boys' paying guest (PG) facility that collapsed during repair work, claiming the lives of seven individuals and injuring several others.
Gandhi Alleges 'Shameful Pattern' of Inaction
In a statement posted on X, Gandhi asserted that the BJP government consistently exhibits a "shameful pattern." He claimed this involves a failure to implement preventive measures before accidents, followed by "grandstanding" after tragedies. According to Gandhi, this process typically culminates in blame being shifted to lower-level officials, leaving the "real culprits" unpunished.
Gandhi emphasized that the Satya Niketan tragedy was not an isolated event. He cited two other recent incidents in Delhi to underscore his concerns about systemic safety failures:
- Six fatalities in a similar disaster in Saidulajab.
- Twenty-two lives lost in a fire in Hauz Rani.
These incidents, he noted, all occurred within the preceding four months, highlighting what he described as a persistent disregard for public safety.
Calls for Accountability Amidst Public Outcry
Gandhi lamented that repeated incidents lead to the loss of "lives, dreams, and aspirations" without any meaningful corrective action from the authorities. He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to silence critics who demand accountability, referencing labels like “brainwashed Naxal” and “grumpy uncle” used to "shame, defame, and silence" dissenting voices.
He questioned the BJP government's 12-year record on public safety and governance, stating, "For 12 years, this government has spun you around with lofty talk about the whole world, but never addressed the real issues."
High Court Questions Authorities
Separately, the Delhi High Court on Monday termed the Satya Niketan incident "most unfortunate." The court raised critical questions regarding the responsibility of the building owners, as well as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi University, for ensuring the safety of such accommodations.
Concerns were also voiced by the court about the safety and regulation of privately operated paying guest facilities, which are frequently relied upon by students moving to Delhi from other regions.
Gandhi also questioned the efficacy of Delhi's "triple engine" government, asking why the administration appeared helpless in preventing such incidents. He concluded, "The helplessness stems from a lack of intent—because where there's no intent, there's no accountability either."