Shivraj Chouhan Protests Tribal Demolitions, Questions Own Govt

GG News Bureau
Sehore, 12th Oct: Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched a sharp attack on officials after an anti-encroachment operation in Kosmi village, Sehore district, allegedly left tribal families homeless and damaged their crops. Chouhan visited the affected families on Sunday and sat in protest, demanding accountability and relief.

In an unusually angry outburst, Chouhan called the officials responsible for the action “नरपिशाच” (Narpishach), a Hindi term meaning a cruel or demonic person. He said the treatment of poor families had crossed all limits of injustice and demanded strict action against those found responsible.

“The limits of oppression and injustice have been crossed in my constituency,” Chouhan said, expressing distress over the condition of families whose homes had reportedly been demolished and crops damaged. He also alleged that a well used by the families had been filled with soil.

‘God will not forgive those responsible’

Chouhan said the sight of crying children and grieving women had deeply angered him. Referring to the officials involved, he said strict action was necessary so that “no Narpishach” could inflict such injustice again. He also remarked that God would not forgive those responsible for the alleged wrongdoing.

The former chief minister said he had earlier urged local authorities not to displace families who had been living on the land for years. He claimed that his concerns had been ignored and said he would place the affected families’ suffering before Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Chouhan also contacted Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal to convey his objections. He promised to press for justice and said arrangements would be made for new homes for the affected families, along with food and temporary accommodation until a permanent solution was found.

‘These are the voters who helped make Mohan Yadav CM’

Chouhan questioned why families who had consistently supported the BJP were facing such hardship.

“These are the people whose votes help us win. It is because of their votes that Mohan ji became Chief Minister,” he said, arguing that the action was damaging the party’s image.

He further alleged that the operation could be an attempt by certain officials to tarnish the BJP and discredit the Chief Minister. However, he did not provide independently verified evidence that the action was politically motivated or intended to undermine Mohan Yadav.

Administrative action triggers political questions

The controversy has placed the BJP-led state government under pressure, with a senior Union minister publicly challenging an administrative operation carried out under his own party’s government.

Forest authorities reportedly defended the operation as an effort to remove illegal huts on forest land, following the destruction of a government plantation. The legality of the occupation, the notices allegedly issued to residents, and the circumstances surrounding the demolition and crop damage remain important questions in the dispute.

Chouhan’s intervention has also prompted speculation about tensions within the state BJP. While his public criticism highlights a serious disagreement over the administration’s handling of the families, claims of a deliberate political campaign by Mohan Yadav or his officials against Chouhan remain unsubstantiated.

The immediate focus is now on whether the state government will review the operation, provide relief and housing to the affected families, and take action against officials if wrongdoing is established.