In Bhopal, more than 200 members of the Kshatriya community joined the Karni Sena protest on Saturday, saying the Madhya Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is not keeping its promises and that police acted too harshly in Harda.
The Karni Sena gathered near the city center before marching toward the Chief Minister’s official residence. Anticipating the crowd, police set up heavy security and stopped the procession partway through.
Earlier that day, CM Yadav was busy touring Alirajpur and Jabalpur to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of tribal hero Birsa Munda. His absence from the protest came as the state’s top police officials were supposed to investigate complaints from the Karni Sena.
Indal Singh Rana, president of the Madhya Pradesh Karni Sena, told reporters that the march was the opening act of a larger agitation. He warned that any delay in meeting the community’s demands could heighten tensions.
The group’s key demands include:
* A high‑level inquiry into the Harda incident and strict action against police officers involved.
* Doubling reservation for the economically weaker section from 10 % to 20 %.
* Simplifying certification procedures for residents.
The Harda incident began on July 13 when police used a lathi charge during a protest over a diamond‑trading case. The footage showed police striking people at a girls’ hostel, nearby homes, and other locations, sparking a political row.
Chief Minister Yadav, who had been on a week‑long foreign tour to attract investment, expressed disappointment over the violence and ordered an inquiry.
Former CM Digvijaya Singh, also from the Kshatriya community, visited Harda afterward and spoke to the press, adding his perspective on the unfolding events.
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