Tensions ran high across Madhya Pradesh on Saturday as workers of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Indian National Congress clashed violently in Indore, leaving a sub-inspector injured and several political workers hurt. The protests, sparked by a controversial Congress demonstration during the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, quickly spread to Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain, and Jabalpur, forcing police to deploy water cannons and barricade key routes.
The flashpoint occurred at Gandhi Bhavan in Indore, where BJYM workers gathered to protest against what they called a "semi-clad demonstration" by Congress workers at the Bharat Mandapam event in the national capital. As Congress workers assembled at their office in large numbers, the two groups came face-to-face, leading to a half-hour standoff that escalated into stone-pelting.
Sub-Inspector R.S. Baghel, who was attempting to mediate between the factions, sustained injuries during the crossfire. Police immediately resorted to a water cannon to disperse the agitated crowds.
Indore: FIR Filed Against Congress Leaders, District Chief Hospitalized
In the ensuing chaos, Indore Congress district president Vipin Wankhede was hit by stones and admitted to a hospital with injuries. The Mahila Morcha chief, Sonila Mimrot, was also among those hurt. According to Congress leader Aman Bajaj, at least eight party office-bearers were injured in the attack.
Police have registered an FIR at the Pandharinath police station against over 20 Congress workers, including city Congress president Chintu Chokse and district president Vipin Wankhede. The case has been filed under relevant sections of the BNS for unlawful assembly, assault, and stone-pelting.
On the other side, BJP MLA Golu Shukla accused Congress workers of pelting stones at peaceful protesters, injuring several women activists. "One of our women leaders received eight stitches to her head," claimed BJP leader Sumit Mishra, alleging that Congress workers were prepared for an attack in advance.
Bhopal: Slogans and Sticks as Police Barricade PCC Office
In the state capital, the situation turned volatile outside the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) office. BJYM workers, led by state president Shyam Teler, raised slogans of "Congress are traitors" and attempted to march towards the office. However, police had set up heavy barricades from Red Cross Hospital onwards, diverting traffic to prevent the groups from converging.
In a dramatic turn, Congress workers were seen standing outside the PCC office holding sticks, with spokesperson Abhinav Barolia issuing a direct challenge: "Come to the party office—we are standing with sticks. We will not be intimidated." He alleged that BJYM workers reached the spot with police collusion.
Tensions escalated further when bricks and stones were allegedly thrown from inside the PCC office premises. Police had to deploy personnel from multiple stations to control the mob.
Ujjain and Gwalior: Effigies Burned, Barricades Broken
In Ujjain, Youth Congress workers broke through barricades near Baldev Bagh in an attempt to reach the old Congress office. ASP Ayush Gupta confirmed that a large police force was deployed in advance. Meanwhile, BJP workers burned an effigy of Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of insulting the nation.
In Gwalior, BJYM activists burned Rahul Gandhi's effigy while Congress workers attempted to break barriers. Similar protests erupted in Jabalpur, where workers from ten police stations were deployed to control the mob after protesters broke through barricades and reached the Congress office.
The Spark: Bharat Mandapam Protest
The chain of violence traces back to Thursday's AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, where Congress workers staged a protest that the BJP deemed "inappropriate" and against the nation's dignity.
BJYM city president Saugat Mishra justified the protests, stating, "When the whole world is praising India's technological capability, such a protest at the behest of Rahul Gandhi is unfortunate." Congress, however, has maintained that they were exercising democratic rights.
Political Reactions
State Congress chief Jitu Patwari took to social media, alleging that BJP workers were "creating unrest across the state" and that law and order had collapsed under the Home Minister. "BJP workers openly pelted stones outside the Congress office, injuring our district president. This is an attack on democracy," Patwari posted.
In a lighter moment amid the tension, Congress MLA Arif Masood was seen escorting a BJP worker—who had mistakenly reached the Congress office—on his scooter back to the BJP protest site, offering a brief respite from the otherwise charged atmosphere.
What Next?
With FIRs filed and investigations underway, the political temperature in Madhya Pradesh shows no signs of cooling. Both parties have vowed to continue their protests, while police remain on high alert across the state.
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