The Budhal Tragedy: A Wake-Up Call
By: Mohammad Iqbal Mughal
The recent Budhal tragedy, where 17 lives were lost, is a stark reminder of the systemic neglect faced by rural and underprivileged communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
This incident exposes the grim reality that political parties often use the poor and disadvantaged for their rallies and vote banks but remain silent when it comes to protecting their fundamental rights, including the right to life and healthcare.
Even more alarming is the fact that an elected representative—the MLA of Budhal—despite his relentless efforts, could not get the necessary help for his people. If those in power and with influence struggle to make their voices heard, how can the common man expect justice? This tragedy is not just a failure of governance; it is a blatant violation of human rights and constitutional rights, raising serious questions about the priorities of those in power.
The Violation of Fundamental and Human Rights
The Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen The Fundamental rights,the right to life under Article 21, which includes the right to quality healthcare. Similarly, access to medical facilities and emergency healthcare is a basic human right recognized globally. Yet, the people of Budhal were deprived of this right due to bureaucratic inefficiency and a lack of infrastructure.
The government’s failure to provide timely medical evacuation for critical patients amounts to criminal negligence. In rural and tribal-dominated areas, where medical facilities are already scarce, the lack of emergency response systems further exacerbates the crisis. The inability to airlift patients from Jammu Medical College to PGI Chandigarh in time directly led to preventable deaths, proving that the system is failing those who need it the most.
The question arises if fundamental rights are only theoretical and not implemented in practice, what purpose do they serve for the common citizen?
Political Apathy towards Disadvantaged Communities
Every election season, political leaders visit tribal and rural areas, making lofty promises of development and better living conditions. However, once elections are over, these regions are conveniently forgotten until the next campaign. The Budhal tragedy is a prime example of how politicians exploit the emotions and needs of the poor for votes but abandon them in times of crisis.
If the same tragedy had occurred in a politically influential or urban area, would the response have been different? Would there have been immediate air evacuations and top-level government intervention? This selective governance is unacceptable and exposes the deep-rooted inequalities in our system.
The Neglect of Rural and Tribal Healthcare Infrastructure
One of the primary reasons behind the Budhal tragedy is the lack of adequate healthcare facilities in rural areas, particularly in tribal-dominated regions. The dependence on faraway hospitals for critical treatment puts lives at constant risk. The government must answer:
- Why is rural health infrastructure still underdeveloped despite years of promises?
- Why do patients from tribal areas have to travel hundreds of kilometers for specialized treatment?
- Why is there no proper air ambulance system for remote regions where road access is difficult?
It is evident that the government has failed to prioritize rural healthcare. While urban hospitals are being modernized, rural hospitals lack even basic facilities. This negligence disproportionately affects the marginalized, violating the principles of equality and social justice.
The Need for Immediate Action
To prevent future tragedies like Budhal, the government must take urgent steps to strengthen rural healthcare and emergency response systems:
- Establish Fully Equipped District Hospitals: Every district, especially in remote areas, must have well-equipped hospitals with ICU facilities and specialized doctors.
- Develop an Emergency Air Evacuation System: Air ambulances should be deployed for quick medical evacuation from remote areas, reducing dependency on far-off hospitals.
- Increase Budget Allocation for Rural Health: A larger share of the healthcare budget should be allocated to underdeveloped regions instead of concentrating resources in cities.
- Accountability for Negligence: Strict action should be taken against those responsible for delaying emergency responses in the Budhal tragedy. Negligence in medical emergencies should be treated as a criminal offense.
- Empower Local Representatives: MLAs and local leaders must be given more authority to take immediate action during emergencies rather than waiting for bureaucratic approvals.
Conclusion
The Budhal tragedy is not just an unfortunate incident; it is a symbol of the deep-rooted inequalities and inefficiencies in governance. It has once again highlighted how the poor and disadvantaged are treated as expendable, their rights ignored until it is time to seek votes.
If the government truly believes in “SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas,” it must prove it through actions, not words. Rural and tribal communities deserve the same dignity, healthcare, and emergency support as urban populations.
This tragedy should serve as a turning point, not just for Budhal but for all marginalized regions of the country. The people have suffered enough due to administrative failures. It is time for the government to take responsibility and ensure that no more lives are lost due to negligence and systemic failure.
(The author is a Social Activist and a Columnist)
