Harish visits students at NIMS after food poisoning, Ministers follow

The recent food poisoning incident at the Wankidi Tribal Girls’ Residential School has stirred political tension in Telangana, with over 60 students hospitalised following severe symptoms.
Former minister Harish Rao visited NIMS Hospital, where some of the affected students, including 8th grader Mahalakshmi and 9th graders Jyothi and Shailaja, are receiving treatment. Shailaja, in particular, remains in critical condition, fighting for her life on a ventilator. During his visit, Harish Rao condemned the Congress government’s handling of Gurukul schools, claiming that their negligence has led to an alarming deterioration in conditions. He pointed to recent incidents of food poisoning, snake bites, rat infestations and even electric shocks, asserting that Congress has allowed these once-revered institutions to fall into disrepair.
“This government’s neglect has turned KCR’s legacy of Gurukul schools into a symbol of crisis. Over the last 10 months, 36 students have lost their lives due to various causes, and around 600 students have suffered from food poisoning. If an average of three students are dying each month, this is no small matter. The government must address this with utmost urgency,” Harish Rao stated, calling for accountability and immediate action to protect Telangana’s students.
In response to these allegations, Telangana Forest, Environment, and Endowments Minister Konda Sureka, along with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar visited NIMS Hospital to meet the affected students and their families. Minister Sureka offered assurance to the parents, stating that the government is committed to supporting the students until their recovery. She also clarified that the affected students had consumed food brought from their homes, not the food served at the Wankidi Welfare Hostel, where other students reportedly remain healthy. “We are closely monitoring the situation and awaiting reports from the food safety team. Once we receive the report, necessary action will be taken,” she announced, emphasising the government’s commitment to addressing the incident thoroughly.
Minister Sureka dismissed the political criticism from Harish Rao and other BRS members, calling it an attempt to exploit the incident for political gain.
Minister Sureka concluded with a call for constructive engagement from the opposition, urging BRS leaders to offer meaningful solutions rather than indulging in political rhetoric. The Telangana government, she affirmed, will continue to prioritize student welfare and respond to the needs of its educational institutions to prevent further incidents.
The incident has brought attention to the critical need for consistent oversight in Gurukul schools, with both political leaders and the public now awaiting the results of the food safety investigation.