The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing an internal crisis in Madhya Pradesh's Datia Assembly by-election after supporters of former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra staged violent protests over the party's decision to field Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate. The unrest left the Superintendent of Police (SP), an SDOP and at least eight police personnel injured, prompting authorities to impose Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the district.

The protest began on Friday evening and intensified in the early hours of Saturday, disrupting normal life and bringing traffic to a standstill on the Gwalior-Jhansi National Highway.

Highway Blockade Turns Violent

Hundreds of BJP workers and supporters gathered on the highway, resulting in a traffic jam stretching nearly 15 to 20 kilometres. Police said clashes broke out around 4:30 am when protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting after being asked to disperse.

Security forces used tear gas shells to control the crowd. Several vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged, while a police vehicle was reportedly overturned. Authorities also said attempts were made to set a vehicle on fire.

According to the district administration, the blockade continued from around 5:30 pm on Friday until approximately 5:00 am on Saturday, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

Section 163 Enforced Across Datia

In response to the violence, the Datia administration imposed Section 163 of the BNSS throughout the district. The prohibitory orders ban public gatherings of five or more people, rallies, processions, demonstrations and public meetings without prior permission.

Heavy police deployment has been made at sensitive locations, and additional forces have been requisitioned from the Police Headquarters (PHQ). Security checks have also been intensified on routes leading into Datia.

District Collector Swapnil Wankhede said the administration would not allow another highway blockade and warned of strict legal action against anyone violating the prohibitory orders.

BJP Workers Continue Protest

More than 500 BJP workers reportedly participated in the overnight protest, with women supporters also joining demonstrations by sitting and lying on roads. Around 250 workers were kept inside the BJP office in Datia as a preventive measure amid fears of further escalation.

Several district BJP leaders, including district president Raghuveer Saran, city office-bearers and the party treasurer, resigned in protest over the denial of a ticket to Narottam Mishra. Supporters have also claimed that multiple BJP councillors submitted their resignations.

Narottam Appeals for Calm

Despite the widespread protests, Dr. Narottam Mishra urged party workers to maintain discipline and respect the BJP's organisational structure. He appealed to supporters not to resort to violence or extreme forms of protest and said disagreements should be expressed through the party's internal forums.

Later on Saturday, Mishra left Datia for Bhopal along with his wife.

Party Leadership Backs Ashutosh Tiwari

Senior BJP leaders have publicly backed the party's decision to nominate Ashutosh Tiwari.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the BJP selects candidates only after careful consideration and expressed confidence that Tiwari would register a comfortable victory in the by-election.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda also reiterated that the organisation's decision is final and should be accepted by all party workers. BJP in-charge Abhay Pratap Singh Yadav reached Datia to hold discussions with disgruntled workers and said the situation would soon return to normal.

Ashutosh Tiwari, meanwhile, described Dr. Narottam Mishra as his "guardian" and said he would fulfil the responsibility entrusted to him by the party with complete dedication.

Political Activity Intensifies

The political atmosphere in Datia remains tense ahead of the July 30 Assembly bypoll. Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad is scheduled to address a public rally in support of party candidate Damodar Yadav.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioned the police action against BJP workers and urged authorities to identify and act against those responsible for instigating the violence.

With Section 163 in force and security tightened across the district, the administration has appealed to the public to maintain peace as election campaigning continues.

The Datia district administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, across the entire Datia subdivision following violent protests over the BJP's candidate selection for the upcoming assembly bypoll. The prohibitory orders came into effect at 9 pm on July 10 and will remain in force until further notice.

The decision follows large-scale demonstrations triggered by the BJP's decision to field Ashutosh Tiwari instead of former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra for the Datia Assembly by-election. The protests escalated into a prolonged blockade on the Gwalior-Jhansi National Highway, leading to traffic disruption, stone-pelting and damage to several vehicles.

Restrictions Under Section 163

Under the new orders issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), no public meetings, rallies, processions, demonstrations or protests can be organised without prior permission from the administration.

The order also prohibits gatherings of more than five people at one place without official approval. Carrying weapons such as sticks, swords, spears, axes, knives or other dangerous objects in public has also been banned.

Authorities have further restricted the use of loudspeakers, public address systems and other sound-amplifying devices without permission.

Monitoring Social Media and Public Messaging

The administration has warned against circulating any content through social media, posters, banners, slogans or speeches that could disturb communal harmony or affect law and order during the election period.

Officials said strict monitoring will be carried out to ensure compliance with the Election Commission's guidelines as well as to maintain peace throughout the bypoll campaign.

Residents have been urged not to believe rumours and to rely only on official information issued by the administration.

Action After Highway Blockade

The administration cited the 15–20 kilometre traffic jam on the Jhansi-Gwalior National Highway during the protests on the night of July 10 as one of the key reasons for imposing the restrictions.

According to officials, the blockade caused severe inconvenience to commuters, while incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism were also reported.

The prohibitory orders are intended to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during the election period.

Additional Laws to Be Enforced

Besides Section 163 of the BNSS, authorities said provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the Madhya Pradesh Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1994, the Madhya Pradesh Noise Control Act, 1985, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 will also be enforced strictly.

The restrictions, however, will not apply to police personnel, Home Guards, CRPF, other central armed police forces, or government and judicial officials performing official duties.

Administration Warns of Strict Action

District Collector Swapnil Wankhede said ensuring a peaceful, free and transparent Datia Assembly by-election remains the administration's highest priority.

He warned that anyone violating the prohibitory orders would face legal action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additional police forces have already been deployed, and surveillance has been intensified in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

With Section 163 now in force, political activity in Datia is expected to continue under heightened security as campaigning for the July 30 bypoll gathers momentum.