Rajasthan Minister’s Remark on Pregnant Women Sparks Row

• Rajasthan Health Minister’s remarks trigger political controversy
• Congress accuses BJP government of ignoring maternal health concerns
• BJP leaders say comments were taken out of context
• Government orders probe into cases involving critically ill women

GG News Bureau
Jaipur, 13th June: A remark by Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar regarding critically ill pregnant women admitted to Bikaner’s PBM Hospital has sparked a political controversy, with the Congress accusing the BJP government of insensitivity towards maternal healthcare issues.

The controversy erupted after Khimsar reportedly said that the women admitted to the hospital were already in a serious condition and “did not come dancing and singing,” while explaining their medical status to reporters during a hospital visit.

The Congress seized upon the statement, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticizing the minister and urging the government to address growing concerns about maternal healthcare in the state.

“There were deaths of pregnant women in Kota, and now reports have emerged of women in critical condition in Bikaner. The Health Minister should take the matter seriously. The government must reassure women who are now afraid to go to hospitals,” Gehlot said.

He also called for an investigation into the incidents and alleged that concerns regarding infections and substandard medicines were being reported from healthcare facilities.

The Health Minister has not publicly responded to the controversy. However, sources close to him maintained that his comments were taken out of context.

According to the sources, Khimsar had visited PBM Hospital to assess the condition of five critically ill pregnant women and had shared their medical reports with the media. They said the minister was merely explaining that the patients had arrived at the hospital in a serious condition and that his remarks were not intended to be insensitive.

Several BJP leaders also defended the minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa said Khimsar had no intention of making an inappropriate statement and that his comments had been misinterpreted.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot said the minister was referring to the medical condition of the patients at the time of admission and had prepared a report on the Bikaner incident.

Urban Development Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra, while refraining from commenting directly on the controversy, observed that public representatives should exercise caution in their choice of words.

State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara launched a sharp attack on the Health Minister, alleging administrative failure in the health department and questioning the government’s handling of maternal healthcare issues.

The controversy comes amid recent reports of maternal deaths in Rajasthan. In Kota, five women reportedly died within a month earlier this year, including four who underwent caesarean deliveries and another who died while five months pregnant.

In Bikaner, reports of six women becoming critically ill following deliveries at PBM Hospital prompted the state government to order an investigation and send the Health Minister to review the situation.

Officials said all six women are now stable and continue to receive treatment at the hospital.

The incident has intensified the political debate over healthcare management in Rajasthan, with the opposition demanding accountability and the government maintaining that appropriate medical care and investigations are underway.