Kerala Oppn Protests After Building Collapse Death; Minister Veena Hospitalised Amid Demands For Resignation

Massive protests rocked Kerala on Thursday after the tragic death of a 56-year-old homemaker, Bindhu, who was trapped under debris following the collapse of a three-storey building at Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The incident has sparked public outrage and political heat, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of state Health Minister Veena George and Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan for alleged negligence.

Political Uproar & Public Anger

Protesters from both the Congress and BJP staged demonstrations across the state, accusing the government of delay and mismanagement in the rescue operation. Opposition leaders claimed that the ministers had failed in their duty, and that Bindhu’s life could have been saved with a more prompt response.

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan blamed the collapse on administrative laxity. “Had the ministers acted responsibly, this tragedy might have been averted. The rescue was delayed even after it was known that someone was trapped,” he said.

Chandy Oommen, the local MLA from Puthuppally and son of late Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, echoed similar sentiments. “This death was preventable. Rescue operations didn’t begin when they should have,” he said while visiting the site.

Minister Veena George Hospitalised

Amid the political storm, Health Minister Veena George was admitted to Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital on Thursday after reportedly suffering from high blood pressure while traveling.

Her hospitalisation came as criticism mounted over the government’s handling of the incident.

Government Defends Itself

State Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan, while addressing the media, rejected allegations of negligence. He claimed there were no lapses from the government's side and that the rescue was hampered only due to logistical challenges. "No lapses from the side of the government. We did not ask to stop the rescue operation, it was to make way to enter Hitachi machine. Rescue was only possible with the help of machines. Postmortem will be conducted today itself. The families have demanded three things. Health Minister said yesterday that nobody was stuck there because the hospital Superintendent told him that the building was not in use," VN Vasavan.

states