Bhopal, July 27
In a decisive move following public outrage over the police cane-charge at the Rajput student hostel in Harda district, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered the immediate removal of several senior administrative and police officials.
The action comes in response to the July 13 incident, where police forces allegedly used excessive force during a protest led by the Karni Sena.
According to the Chief Minister’s statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) have been relieved of their duties in Harda. Also, the in-charges of Kotwali and Traffic Police Stations have been attached to the Narmadapuram Inspector General’s office.
Dr. Yadav cited “improper use of force†and “negligence in resolving the situation sensitively†as grounds for the administrative overhaul.
The unrest began when Karni Sena activists staged a 16-hour sit-in at the Khandwa bypass, protesting alleged police protection of an Indore-based businessman accused of defrauding Rs 18 lakh in a diamond deal.
Tensions escalated as police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and ultimately resorted to lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators. Eyewitness accounts and viral videos suggest that police entered the Rajput hostel and used force against students, sparking widespread condemnation across the state.
Among those arrested were nearly 60 individuals, including Karni Sena’s national president Jeevan Singh Sherpur.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, with Congress figures such as Digvijaya Singh and Jitu Patwari demanding a judicial probe and accusing the government of suppressing dissent.
Singh personally visited the hostel and shared video testimonies from affected students, describing the police action as “barbaric†and “undemocraticâ€.
The Human Rights Commission has also been approached by community representatives, who allege caste-based targeting and demand an independent investigation into the conduct of law enforcement personnel.
As protests ripple across Madhya Pradesh, including coordinated demonstrations in Ratlam, Indore, and Shajapur, the Chief Minister’s swift administrative response signals an attempt to contain the political fallout and restore public confidence in the state’s governance mechanism.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the CM's quick response, why did it take 2 weeks and public outrage for action? This shows our system only reacts when things go viral. We need proactive governance, not damage control! 😤
As someone from MP, I'm glad the government acted. But let's not forget - the Karni Sena protest was about a fraud case first. Both sides need to be investigated properly. Police action was wrong, but protests shouldn't block roads for 16 hours either.
The hostel raid is deeply disturbing. Students should feel safe in their hostels. Hope this sets an example for police forces across India to handle protests more professionally. ðŸ™
Typical political drama before elections! First let police do the dirty work, then act shocked when videos surface. The transferred officers will get postings elsewhere in 6 months. System needs complete overhaul, not cosmetic changes.
As an outsider living in MP, I'm impressed by the CM's decisive action. In many countries, police brutality cases drag on for years. This sends a strong message about accountability in Indian democracy.
The Human Rights Commission must investigate properly. Too often, powerful people get away by
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