OBC Mahasabha protest in Bhopal: Police use water cannons, activists arrested at Roshanpura
Synopsis
On the very first day of Madhya Pradesh's Monsoon Assembly Session, OBC Mahasabha activists marched on the Legislative Assembly in Bhopal demanding 27% reservation and the release of roughly 11,000 frozen government posts — and were met with water cannons and arrests. With the matter sub judice since 2019 and thousands of selected candidates still without appointment letters, the standoff is fast becoming a political flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
OBC Mahasabha activists clashed with police in Bhopal on 20 July , the first day of the Madhya Pradesh Monsoon Assembly Session .
Police deployed water cannons and arrested several protesters at Roshanpura Square .
Demonstrators demanded implementation of 27 per cent OBC reservation and release of approximately 11,000 withheld government posts .
The state's 87:13 formula has kept 13 per cent of posts on hold pending a court verdict; the issue has been sub judice since 2019 .
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and Congress leader Sachin Yadav joined the protest and criticised the government.
The court's eventual ruling is expected to reshape Madhya Pradesh's overall recruitment and reservation policy.
Police in Bhopal deployed water cannons and made arrests on Monday, 20 July as OBC Mahasabha activists clashed with security forces while demanding the implementation of 27 per cent OBC reservation and the immediate release of approximately 11,000 withheld government posts. The confrontation unfolded at Roshanpura Square, on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
How the Clash Unfolded
Protesters who had travelled from multiple districts across Madhya Pradesh assembled at Roshanpura before attempting to march toward the state Legislative Assembly. When demonstrators refused to disperse despite repeated police warnings, authorities resorted to sustained use of water cannons. Several activists were detained at the square.
Heavy security was maintained around the Assembly complex throughout the day to prevent further escalation, according to reports.
Political Leaders Join the Agitation
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and Congress leader Sachin Yadav reached Roshanpura and expressed solidarity with the protesters. Singhar sharply criticised the state government's approach, alleging what he called a 'dual mentality' on the reservation issue — publicly supporting OBC rights while allowing thousands of appointment letters to remain in limbo.
The 87:13 Formula and the Recruitment Deadlock
The protest is rooted in a prolonged legal and administrative standoff over the state government's decision to raise OBC reservation from 14 per cent to 27 per cent. Because the matter is currently sub judice, the government adopted the 87:13 formula: appointments were made to 87 per cent of available posts, while the remaining 13 per cent — roughly 11,000 posts linked to the enhanced OBC quota — were kept on hold pending a final court verdict.
Dharmendra Singh Kushwaha, a member of the OBC Mahasabha's national core committee, said backward classes have been fighting for their rights for a long time. He alleged that reservation-related matters have remained unresolved since 2019, severely affecting the futures of lakhs of OBC youths across the state.
What the OBC Mahasabha Is Demanding
The OBC Mahasabha has accused the state government of failing to honour its commitments on reservation. Activists are demanding immediate release of the withheld posts and clearance of the accumulated backlog so that selected candidates — many of whom have been waiting years for appointment letters — can finally take up employment.
What Happens Next
The eventual court ruling on the 27 per cent OBC quota is expected to carry far-reaching consequences, not just for the thousands of candidates in limbo but for Madhya Pradesh's broader recruitment and reservation policy. With the Monsoon Session now under way, the issue is likely to spill into Assembly proceedings, intensifying pressure on the state government to provide a concrete timeline.
Point of View
Signalling that OBC groups are done waiting for the courts to move. The ruling BJP faces a structural dilemma: full implementation risks legal reversal, but continued inaction is now producing street-level unrest that the opposition is happy to amplify. The government needs a credible interim relief mechanism for waiting candidates, independent of the final verdict.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did OBC Mahasabha activists protest in Bhopal on 20 July?
Activists gathered in Bhopal on 20 July to demand the implementation of 27 per cent OBC reservation in government jobs and the immediate release of approximately 11,000 posts that have been withheld since the state raised the OBC quota from 14 per cent to 27 per cent. The matter has been sub judice since 2019, leaving thousands of selected candidates without appointment letters.
What is the 87:13 formula in Madhya Pradesh's OBC reservation dispute?
The 87:13 formula is an interim arrangement adopted by the Madhya Pradesh government pending a final court verdict on the enhanced OBC quota. Under it, appointments were made to 87 per cent of available posts, while the remaining 13 per cent — roughly 11,000 posts linked to the 27 per cent OBC quota — were kept on hold.
What action did police take against the protesters?
Police deployed water cannons to disperse OBC Mahasabha activists who attempted to march toward the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly at Roshanpura Square in Bhopal. Several demonstrators were arrested at the site.
Who are the political figures who supported the protest?
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and Congress leader Sachin Yadav reached Roshanpura Square and expressed solidarity with the agitators. Singhar criticised the government for what he called a 'dual mentality' on the reservation issue.
What are the broader implications of the OBC reservation case in Madhya Pradesh?
The final court ruling on the 27 per cent OBC quota is expected to have far-reaching consequences for Madhya Pradesh's recruitment and reservation policy as a whole. It will determine the fate of thousands of candidates currently in limbo and could set a precedent for how the state handles enhanced quotas going forward.
