Why this tamasha? Jyotiraditya Scindia slams VIP treatment after temple tragedy

Jyotiraditya Scindia visited a Gwalior trauma centre to meet people injured in the Sheetla Mata Temple tragedy. A green carpet, cleaning and hurried repairs before his arrival raised questions about VIP treatment and routine maintenance.A green carpet was also laid ahead of Scindia's visit, prompting questions about the preparations for the VIP visit. (File Photo: ITG)Gwalior,Oct 18, 2026 18:56 ISTUnion Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s visit to a trauma centre in Gwalior to meet those injured in the Sheetla Mata Temple tragedy has raised questions over VIP arrangements at the hospital.Fifteen devotees died in the incident. Ahead of Scindia’s visit, a green carpet was laid on the hospital premises, cleaning work was carried out, and repairs to broken tiles and potholes were undertaken.When asked about the arrangements, Scindia responded, “I belong to Gwalior, Gwalior is mine. Why would there be a green carpet for me? What is this, what kind of tamasha is this?”Scindia visited the trauma centre to enquire about the condition of those injured in the temple incident. Before his arrival, staff members were seen cleaning the premises, while workers used a cement-and-sand mixture to fill potholes and repair damaged tiles.SCINDIA RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OVER GREEN CARPETWhen asked whether laying a green carpet before his arrival amounted to sycophancy by officials or an attempt to provide him with VIP treatment, Scindia questioned the arrangements. “I belong to Gwalior, Gwalior is mine. Why would there be a green carpet for me? What is this, what kind of tamasha is this?” he said.However, Scindia’s response did not clarify who had ordered the green carpet to be laid or who had directed officials to carry out the cleaning and repair work before his visit.WHY CLEANING AND REPAIR WORKS WERE UNDERTAKEN BEFORE VISIT?The preparations have raised questions about the routine maintenance of the hospital premises. If broken tiles and potholes were already present, why were they not repaired earlier? Should basic cleaning and maintenance depend on the scheduled visit of a minister or another VIP?The deaths of 15 devotees in the Sheetla Mata Temple tragedy have left families grieving, while those injured require medical attention and support. In the aftermath of such an incident, the administration and health department must prioritise treatment for the injured, assistance to affected families and the smooth functioning of hospital services.A public representative’s visit to meet injured people is important, but the arrangements made before such visits can also raise questions about the functioning of public institutions. Cleaning, repairs and patient facilities should not receive attention only when VIPs are expected. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that ordinary patients and their families also have access to a clean and properly maintained hospital environment.- Ends