Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Delhi Building Collapse Sparks Questions Over Modi’s Response
A building in Delhi collapsed while workers were repairing it.
Six people died, and 11 people were rescued.
The building was used as a paying-guest home for boys near Delhi University.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the tragedy.
Das said Modi had recently spoken at a university event and elsewhere but had not immediately spoken about the collapse.
The Prime Minister’s Office later shared condolences for the victims.
It also said authorities were helping people at the site.
Police filed a case against the building’s owner and others.
The Delhi government ordered an investigation into what happened.
Six people died and 11 were rescued after a 50-year-old building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area.
The multi-storey building housed a boys’ paying-guest accommodation near Delhi University’s South Campus.
The collapse occurred around 1:30 p.m. Sunday while repair work was underway.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das criticized Narendra Modi for not initially commenting on the deaths and questioned accountability for the tragedy.
The Prime Minister’s Office later posted condolences, while police filed a case and the Delhi government ordered an inquiry.
- Who
- Six people died, 11 were rescued, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das criticized Narendra Modi, and authorities investigated the building’s owner and others.
- What
- A 50-year-old multi-storey building collapsed, prompting criticism of the prime minister’s response and an official inquiry.
- When
- The collapse occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday; Das issued his criticism on Monday.
- Where
- Satya Niketan in southwest Delhi, near Delhi University’s South Campus.
- Why
- The building collapsed while repair work was underway, raising questions about the safety of paying-guest accommodation and responsibility for the disaster.
Criticism of the Prime Minister
Official Response
Timing and visibility of the response
Criticism of the Prime Minister
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das argued that Narendra Modi had recently appeared at Delhi University and addressed a temple inauguration but had not initially spoken about the Satya Niketan deaths.
Official Response
The Prime Minister’s Office later posted a statement calling the collapse distressing, offering condolences, and wishing injured people a speedy recovery.
Accountability for the collapse
Criticism of the Prime Minister
Das called for assurances that trapped students would be rescued, survivors cared for, and officials or political figures responsible for the tragedy held accountable.
Official Response
Police reportedly registered a case against the building’s owner and others, and the Delhi government ordered an inquiry.
Political framing
Criticism of the Prime Minister
Das linked the tragedy to what he described as the government’s focus on political messaging and criticism of questioning young people.
Official Response
Modi’s cited remarks at Shri Ram College of Commerce concerned his use of the phrase “mental Naxal”; the PMO’s separate statement focused on condolences and assistance after the collapse.
- Deaths
- Six people died.
- Rescued
- Eleven people were rescued from the debris.
- Building
- A 50-year-old multi-storey structure housing a boys’ paying-guest accommodation.
- Collapse time
- Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
- Location
- Satya Niketan, southwest Delhi, near Delhi University’s South Campus.
- Official response
- The Prime Minister’s Office expressed condolences and said authorities were assisting those affected.
- Investigation
- Police registered a case against the building’s owner and others, while the Delhi government ordered an inquiry.