Three minors die of ‘starvation’ in Mandawali, Delhi

26 July 2018:

Three minor girls – aged two, four and eight years – died allegedly due to starvation in Delhi. The mother of the deceased is said to be mentally-challenged. The father, who is a rickshaw puller, has been reported missing for some time.

According to Global Hunger Index of 2017, India is ranked 6th among South Asian nations with a score of 31.4 in 2017.

Following the incident in Delhi, social activist and Lok Sabha member Maheish Giri tweeted: “Spoke in parliament about death of 3 children in Mandawali due to starvation. This has happened due to complete failed governance of @ArvindKejriwal and his govt. They should be dismissed as soon as possible”.

The incident raises questions on “Right to Food” which protects the right for people to feed themselves in dignity, implying that sufficient food is available, that people have the means to access it, and that it adequately meets the individual's dietary needs. It also says if people are deprived of access to food for reasons beyond their control, the right requires the government to provide food directly.