Nakti village demolition row rocks Chhattisgarh Assembly, Congress demands adjournment
Synopsis
The Chhattisgarh Assembly's Monsoon Session turned volatile as Congress legislators stormed the Well over the demolition of 77 houses in Nakti village near Raipur. With the Speaker rejecting an adjournment motion, a tiger poaching row in Indravati Reserve surfacing, and a no-confidence debate looming on 17 July, the session is shaping up as one of the most turbulent in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Congress legislators disrupted the Chhattisgarh Assembly Monsoon Session on 15 July over the demolition of allegedly 77 houses in Nakti village , Raipur , on 29 June .
Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma defended the action, saying it followed a legal encroachment complaint filed with the Raipur Collector by Rajnish Chandrakar .
Speaker Raman Singh rejected the Congress adjournment motion; legislators then entered the Well and raised slogans.
Opposition leader Charandas Mahant alleged political patronage in tiger poaching at Indravati Tiger Reserve ; Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap promised strict action.
25 people killed at a Vedanta plant in Sakti was also raised during Question Hour.
A no-confidence motion is set for debate on 17 July , the session's final day.
The Monsoon Session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly descended into uproar on Wednesday, 15 July, as Opposition Indian National Congress (Congress) legislators mounted a fierce protest over the demolition of allegedly 77 houses in Nakti village, located near the state capital Raipur, on 29 June. The incident — widely referred to as the 'Nakti bulldozer action' — dominated proceedings from Zero Hour onwards and drew sharp accusations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
What Triggered the Uproar
Congress members raised the Nakti demolition during Zero Hour, alleging that the action displaced poor families and amounted to a violation of human rights. They accused the BJP administration of perpetuating a 'bulldozer culture' and demanded a detailed discussion through an adjournment motion. The protest quickly escalated, with legislators entering the Well of the House and raising slogans after Speaker Raman Singh rejected the adjournment motion.
What the Government Said
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Tank Ram Verma defended the action, stating that the demolition was carried out strictly in accordance with legal and administrative procedures. He said the action followed a complaint of illegal encroachment filed by Rajnish Chandrakar with the Raipur Collector. According to Verma, notices were duly issued, judicial process was followed, and residents were given sufficient time to remove their belongings. He further clarified that encroachers were properly rehabilitated, no household belongings were damaged, and claims that rain had disrupted the operation were incorrect.
Tiger Poaching and Other Issues
In a separate development, the Opposition raised the issue of tiger poaching in the Indravati Tiger Reserve through a Call Attention motion. Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant alleged political patronage in the case and criticised the government for not disclosing the identity of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel arrested in connection with the matter. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap assured the House that strict action would be taken against all those found guilty.
Other Key Developments in the Session
During Question Hour, the Opposition also sought answers on the tragic death of 25 people in an accident at the Vedanta plant in Sakti. Separately, a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition on the second day of the session is scheduled for discussion on the final day — 17 July. The convergence of multiple flashpoint issues signals a combative remainder to the Monsoon Session, with the no-confidence debate set to raise the political temperature further.
Point of View
Due process followed, rehabilitation arranged — is legally defensible but politically combustible when applied to 77 households near a state capital. What is missing from both sides is independent verification: neither the Congress nor the administration has produced a third-party account of the 29 June operation. The no-confidence motion on 17 July, though unlikely to succeed given BJP's numbers, will give the Opposition a formal platform to consolidate these grievances into a larger governance narrative ahead of local elections.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nakti village demolition controversy in Chhattisgarh?
The Nakti village demolition refers to the alleged razing of 77 houses in Nakti village near Raipur on 29 June, following a complaint of illegal encroachment filed with the Raipur Collector. The action triggered a major protest in the Chhattisgarh Assembly on 15 July, with Congress legislators accusing the BJP government of targeting poor families.
What did the Chhattisgarh government say about the Nakti demolition?
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Tank Ram Verma stated that the demolition followed due legal process, with notices issued and sufficient time given to residents to remove belongings. He added that encroachers were rehabilitated and that no household items were damaged during the operation.
Why did Congress demand an adjournment motion in the Chhattisgarh Assembly?
Congress demanded an adjournment motion to hold a detailed in-House discussion on the Nakti demolition, which it characterised as a human rights violation and an example of 'bulldozer culture.' Speaker Raman Singh rejected the motion, prompting legislators to enter the Well and raise slogans.
What is the Indravati Tiger Reserve poaching case about?
Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant raised the issue of tiger poaching in Indravati Tiger Reserve through a Call Attention motion, alleging political patronage and criticising the government for not publicly naming an IB personnel arrested in the case. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap assured strict action against all those found guilty.
What other issues were raised during the Chhattisgarh Monsoon Session?
The Opposition raised the deaths of 25 people in an accident at the Vedanta plant in Sakti during Question Hour. A no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition is also scheduled for discussion on 17 July, the final day of the session.
