Rahul Gandhi targets BJP over Delhi hostel collapse, says ‘there is no accountability’

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses terms such as “dimagi Naxal” and “naraaz phoopha” against people who question the government.

‘There is no accountability’

In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said the BJP government repeatedly follows a pattern of failing to take preventive action before accidents and then engaging in “grandstanding” after tragedies occur.

He alleged that responsibility is subsequently placed on a few lower-level officials, while those ultimately responsible remain beyond scrutiny.

“There Is No Accountability,” Gandhi said, using the hashtag “TINA”.

The acronym TINA, or “There Is No Alternative”, is often used by supporters of Prime Minister Modi to describe him as an indispensable leader.

Gandhi cites other Delhi tragedies

Gandhi said the Satya Niketan collapse was not an isolated incident and referred to other recent tragedies in the national capital.

“The collapse of the building packed with students at Satya Niketan is no isolated tragedy,” he said, referring to the deaths in a similar building disaster in Saidulajab and a fire in Hauz Rani that claimed 22 lives.

He alleged that despite repeated loss of life, meaningful action has remained elusive.

“Every time, lives, dreams, and aspirations get buried under rubble -- and every time, any real action is nowhere to be found,” Gandhi said.

‘Lack of intent’ behind Delhi’s ‘helplessness’

Gandhi further questioned the functioning of Delhi's “triple-engine” government and asked why it was unable to prevent such incidents.

“Delhi has a ‘triple-engine’ government, so what is the excuse for this helplessness now?” he asked.

Gandhi said the problem was not a lack of power but a lack of political intent.

“The helplessness stems from a lack of intent -- because where there's no intent, there's no accountability either,” he said.

Seven killed in Satya Niketan collapse

Gandhi's remarks came a day after a five-storey building in the congested Satya Niketan area near Delhi University's South Campus collapsed.

The incident claimed seven lives and triggered a major rescue operation.

The collapse has also raised questions over building safety, enforcement and accountability in densely populated parts of the national capital.