In a powerful display of protest, the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh organized a significant 'Nyay Yatra' (Justice March) in Indore on Sunday. The march was a direct response to the tragic deaths reported in the city's Bhagirathpura area, with leaders demanding immediate action and substantial compensation for the affected families.
Massive Protest March from Bada Ganpati to Rajwada
The protest march saw a formidable gathering of the state Congress's top leadership. The procession began at the Bada Ganpati Chauraha and made its way through the city, culminating at the historic Rajwada. The demonstration was led by Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Jitu Patwari and featured prominent figures including former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, former minister Sajjan Singh Verma, and several party MLAs.
Protesters raised loud slogans holding the state government accountable. Their primary targets were State Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava. The key demands from the rally were clear and uncompromising: a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of each victim and the registration of murder cases against those deemed responsible for the incident.
Leaders Accuse Government of Suppression and Neglect
Addressing the crowd at Rajwada, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP. He accused the government of deliberately suppressing the true casualty figures from the tragedy. "People of Indore deserve clean water and safe roads, not excuses," Singhar stated emphatically. He went further, labeling those responsible for the 21 deaths as murderers who must be prosecuted accordingly. He criticized the BJP for failing to protect citizens despite its persistent 'Hindutva' rhetoric.
Former minister Jayvardhan Singh remarked that the tragic incident had severely "stained" the reputation of Indore, which has consistently been awarded the title of India's cleanest city. Adding a strategic perspective, former CM Digvijaya Singh noted that with the BJP in control at every level—from the local council to Parliament—a sustained and robust grassroots struggle was the only recourse for the opposition and the public to seek justice.
Demands for Resignations and Systemic Change
PCC chief Jitu Patwari escalated the demands by calling for immediate political accountability. He insisted on the resignation of Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava. Patwari also demanded the complete replacement of the Mayor-in-Council (MIC), arguing that the government's action of suspending a few junior officials was a grossly insufficient response to a disaster of this magnitude.
The authorities deployed a heavy police force all along the route of the 'Nyay Yatra' to ensure that the large-scale protest remained peaceful and orderly. The event has intensified the political pressure on the BJP-led state government, bringing the issue of civic safety and administrative accountability in Indore to the forefront of public discourse.
