Rajasthan Health Minister's remarks on new mothers trigger political row

Jaipur: Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh's remarks on the condition of six new mothers at Bikaner’s PBM Hospital have sparked a political controversy, with opposition leaders and public figures calling the statement insensitive and inappropriate amid growing concerns over maternal healthcare in the state.

The remarks were made on Thursday during the minister’s visit to PBM Hospital, the largest government medical facility in Bikaner, where he was inspecting the ICU following reports that six women developed severe complications after Caesarean (C-section) deliveries.

Also Read:Another pregnant woman dies at Kota Hospital following post-surgery complications

According to the news reports, when asked about the condition of the patients, the minister responded by pointing towards the Medical College Principal and making a remark that quickly went viral.

“Did these pregnant women arrive at PBM Hospital in a critical condition, or did they come dancing and singing?” he said, suggesting that the patients were already seriously ill upon admission.

The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Rajasthan’s public healthcare system following a series of maternal health-related incidents reported from government hospitals across the state.

Last month, five women reportedly died of kidney failure after undergoing C-section deliveries at a medical college hospital in Kota.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that, amidst rising concerns over the number of deaths among women in Kota's government hospitals over the past fortnight, another pregnant woman died on Sunday at the Government New Medical College Hospital (NMCH).

Investigations into the incident revealed systemic lapses, including inadequate post-operative monitoring, poor infection-control practices in operating theatres, and allegations regarding the use of counterfeit or substandard Oxytocin injections.

Against this backdrop, the recent complications involving six women at PBM Hospital have intensified public concern. Hospital authorities have constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the complications.

Tensions escalated during the minister’s visit as Youth Congress workers staged a protest outside PBM Hospital, demanding accountability over the incidents. Some protesters attempted to enter the hospital premises, leading to a police lathi-charge.

A separate scuffle involving Mahila Congress workers at the hospital gate reportedly resulted in several women falling on the road amid the chaos.

The minister’s remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. In a post on X, Barmer–Jaisalmer MP Ummeda Ram Beniwal called the statement “extremely irresponsible, insensitive, and regrettable.”

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief Hanuman Beniwal also criticised the minister’s comment. He said it was inappropriate for a person responsible for public health to make such remarks about critically ill mothers.

Speaking to TNIE, Former CM Ashok Gehlot described the remarks as “shameful and unfortunate”, alleging that instead of “fixing accountability” the government was “attempting to suppress the opposition’s voice through force”.

Also Read:Inquiry ordered after 6 women develop kidney complications following c-sections at Bikaner Hospital