Need to break tradition of not condoling infant deaths: Pilot

In a jibe at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the Kota hospital row, his deputy Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said the tradition of not condoling the deaths of children should be broken.

Deputy Chief Minister Pilot did not name Gehlot but he appeared to be referring to the CM's reported remarks recently that there was "no tradition" to condole infant deaths.

The remarks reflect a continuing rift between the two leaders, both of whom had sought the CM's post after the Congress won the assembly polls in 2019.

Pilot had visited Kota, where over 100 infants died at J K Lon Hospital in December, and blamed his own government for being not sensitive enough to the deaths.

Gehlot, however, has not visited Kota.

"We talk about changing the wrong tradition. We talk about avoiding 'ghoonghat', which is a good thing, but at the same time if there is no tradition to wipe tears of those who lost their children then that tradition should also be broken," Pilot told reporters.

"God forbid, children should not die...There is no programme to mourn deaths of children but it is the responsibility of all of us to wipe tears of grieving parents...We all should collectively discharge this responsibility," he added.

His remarks has come after the Women and Child Development Department launched a campaign against the practice of "ghoonghat" on a call given by Gehlot, who had said in November that it was high time that the practice be shunned so that women could progress.

Responding to criticism by Pilot, Gehlot had earlier said it was his right to question the government.

"Pilot is the Pradesh Congress Committee president. It is his right to say this about the government. It is not the opposition only, which could ask questions. People from the government could also ask questions," Gehlot had said.