Navratri celebrations in Delhi turned grim as around 370–400 people were admitted to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial (BJRM) Hospital late Monday night. The patients, mostly from North and North-West Delhi, fell ill after consuming kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), widely used during fasting.
Doctors reported symptoms like nausea, vomiting, weakness, and low blood pressure, prompting an immediate probe into possible food adulteration.
What Happened in Delhi?
According to Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs has launched an investigation to trace the source of the adulterated flour.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Bhisham Singh confirmed that patients came from areas such as Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park, Samaypur, Bhalswa Dairy, Lal Bagh, and Swaroop Nagar.
Government Response
Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan said the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards food adulteration. He assured that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will conduct a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, AAP leaders strongly criticised the BJP-led government.
Political Reactions: AAP vs BJP
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha alleged that patients had bought flour from different shops, indicating a wider problem of adulteration across Delhi. “There is rampant adulteration in masala and grains because the government is not conducting strict checks,” he said.
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of negligence, alleging that “while hundreds were in hospitals, the government was busy playing dandiya.”
The BJP, however, has not yet officially responded to the allegations.