BJP seeks probe into death of mother, baby in Kashmir’s Gurez, flags healthcare gaps

The BJP on Saturday (October 24, 2026) targeted the ruling National Conference (NC) over the death of an expecting mother and its failure to post a permanent gynaecologist at the Gurez Valley, a popular tourist destination that remains cut off in winters due to snowfall, in north Kashmir.

“An expecting mother should not have to depend on uncertainty when she needs emergency medical care. No family should have to endure such a devastating loss while questioning whether timely treatment and adequate facilities were available. The allegations surrounding this tragic incident must be investigated impartially, and responsibility must be fixed wherever lapses are established,” said BJP J&K spokesperson Danish Bhat.

On October 14, a 30-year-old Haseena Begum and her unborn baby died due to a lack of maternity care in the Gurez valley. “The tragedy has brought the region’s long-standing healthcare deficiencies into sharp focus. NC MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, who has represented the constituency across four Assembly elections since 2002,” said Mr. Bhat.

Referring to the hunger strike observed by the locals over healthcare, Mr. Bhat said, “Nearly two decades of political representation should have translated into reliable healthcare, functioning emergency services and dignity for the people of Gurez. Instead, residents are now forced to sit on a hunger strike to demand a gynaecologist, a radiologist, a functional operation theatre, a blood bank and even appropriately equipped ambulances. This is not merely a healthcare failure; it raises serious questions about political accountability.”

He said the NC needs to meet the demands of a permanent specialist, a functioning operating theatre, and emergency transport. “Gurez is a remote and strategically important region where difficult terrain and winter conditions make dependable medical infrastructure indispensable. These challenges are well known; they cannot be invoked indefinitely as an excuse for inadequate preparedness,” said Mr. Bhat.

Meanwhile, the BJP demanded a time-bound investigation into the deaths of Begum and her baby, “with the findings made public and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law”.

“People of Gurez are not asking for favours. They are demanding basic healthcare, accountability and the assurance that their lives matter. Their hunger strike must not be reduced to another headline that disappears after a few days,” said the BJP spokesman.