What Actions Did CM Mohan Yadav Take Over the Harda Cane-Charge Incident?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Immediate action taken by CM Mohan Yadav following public outrage.
- Senior officials dismissed in response to the police cane-charge incident.
- Protests were a reaction to the alleged protection of a businessman by police.
- Opposition leaders are demanding a judicial probe into the actions of law enforcement.
- Public trust in governance is at stake amid rising tensions.
Bhopal, July 27 (NationPress) In a bold response to the public backlash over the police cane-charge at the Rajput student hostel in Harda district, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has mandated the immediate dismissal of multiple senior administrative and law enforcement officials.
This decisive action follows the events of July 13, during which police reportedly employed excessive force against demonstrators from the Karni Sena.
In a statement released via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Chief Minister announced that the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) have been relieved of their responsibilities in Harda. Additionally, the officers in charge of Kotwali and Traffic Police Stations have been reassigned to the Narmadapuram Inspector General’s office.
Dr. Yadav cited “improper use of force” and “failure to address the situation appropriately” as reasons for this administrative shake-up.
The unrest began when Karni Sena supporters conducted a 16-hour sit-in at the Khandwa bypass, protesting alleged police favoritism towards an Indore-based businessman accused of defrauding Rs 18 lakh in a diamond transaction.
As tensions rose, police utilized water cannons, tear gas, and ultimately resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Eyewitness reports and viral footage indicate that police entered the Rajput hostel and used force against students, leading to widespread condemnation throughout the state.
Nearly 60 individuals were arrested, including the national president of Karni Sena, Jeevan Singh Sherpur.
The incident has been met with fierce criticism from opposition leaders, with Congress members such as Digvijaya Singh and Jitu Patwari demanding a judicial inquiry and accusing the government of stifling dissent.
Singh visited the hostel personally and shared video testimonials from affected students, condemning the police actions as “barbaric” and “undemocratic”.
The Human Rights Commission has also been approached by community representatives, alleging caste-based targeting and calling for an independent investigation into the police's conduct.
As protests spread throughout Madhya Pradesh, including organized demonstrations in Ratlam, Indore, and Shajapur, the Chief Minister’s prompt administrative actions indicate an attempt to mitigate the political fallout and restore public trust in the state’s governance.