Protests demanding the resignation of Kerala Health Minister Veena George escalated across the state on Saturday following the tragic collapse of a 68-year-old toilet complex at Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital, which killed 52-year-old Bindu and injured three others, including an 11-year-old girl, on Thursday. The Mahila Congress, with mouths symbolically tied with black cloth, marched to Palakkad District Hospital, carrying banners accusing George of negligence and demanding a judicial probe. A Youth Congress march to George’s official residence in Thiruvananthapuram is planned for 11 a.m. today.

The collapse occurred around 11 a.m. near wards 10, 11, and 14 during the hospital’s transition to a new surgical block. Bindu, a Thalayolaparambu resident accompanying her daughter for treatment, was trapped under debris for over two hours, with opposition leaders alleging delayed rescue efforts due to George’s claim that the building was unused. Aleena (11), Amal Pradeep (20), and Jinu Saji (38) were also injured. Opposition parties, including Congress and BJP, have labeled Bindu’s death “institutional murder,” criticizing George and Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan for downplaying the incident.

Statewide protests erupted on Friday, with Youth Congress, BJP, and Indian Union Muslim League activists clashing with police, who used water cannons to disperse crowds in Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta. Congress leaders V.D. Satheesan and Sunny Joseph slammed the government’s “callous” response, demanding ₹25 lakh compensation and a job for Bindu’s kin. CPM leader M.V. Govindan defended George, alleging protests aim to benefit private hospitals, while Vasavan denied rescue delays.

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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, facing criticism amid his planned U.S. trip for medical treatment, pledged ₹50,000 in aid for Bindu’s family and promised measures to prevent such tragedies. The State Human Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case, set for review on July 26.

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