Indore is facing a serious diarrhoea outbreak due to contaminated drinking water, with 142 people hospitalised, including 11 in ICUs. During a health survey in Bhagirathpura, the outbreak's epicenter, officials examined 9,416 people and found 20 new cases. So far, 398 patients have been admitted, and six people have died. Health teams say the outbreak is now under control. Dr. Madhav Prasad Haasani, Chief Medical and Health Officer, confirmed the arrival of experts from Kolkata’s National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections, linked to the Indian Council of Medical Research, to help contain the outbreak. The death toll is contested: officials confirm six dead, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava claims ten, and locals say 16, including a six-month-old child, have died. This has sparked anger, with the Congress party protesting and demanding the resignation of senior Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. Vijayvargiya caused controversy when he responded with “ghanta” to reporters about the crisis. State Congress president Jitu Patwari demanded a judicial inquiry and alleged eight months of ignored complaints about contaminated municipal water in Bhagirathpura. He also called for culpable homicide cases against the mayor and city officials, claiming even municipal water tankers supply contaminated water. In nearby Dewas, a sub-divisional magistrate was suspended for copying Congress protest wording, seen as negligence. The official had issued orders citing Congress accusations of Vijayvargiya’s remarks. Water expert Rajendra Singh, known as the "Waterman of India," described the deaths as a "system-created disaster" caused by corruption. He said dirty sewage water mixed with drinking water due to cheap, improper pipeline laying. Indore depends heavily on water from the Narmada River, which is costly and plagued by corruption, Singh said. Mayor Bhargava previously joked about the high cost of water in Indore, calling it "ghee" rather than water, highlighting wasteful practices despite high expenses. The crisis and political protests continue as Indore works to restore safe water and public trust.