MP Congress 'Road Satyagraha' on May 7: Highways blocked at 7 points over wheat procurement
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Indian National Congress in Madhya Pradesh has announced a statewide 'Road Satyagraha' on 7 May 2025, during which party workers will block national highways at seven locations across the state to protest alleged failures in the wheat procurement system and demand justice for farmers. The agitation, set to affect nearly 747 kilometres of roads across 11 districts, is being led by former Minister P.C. Sharma, with State Congress President Jitu Patwari pledging active participation.
What the Protest Involves
Congress workers, along with the Seva Dal and Kisan Morcha, are preparing to block key arterial routes including the Mumbai–Agra National Highway. Patwari has stated the party will not retreat from its fight for farmers' interests. The party insists the protest will remain peaceful but aims to deliver farmers' concerns to the government forcefully. Administration officials have already begun mobilising security and traffic management measures in anticipation of potential disruptions.
Congress's Allegations Against the Government
The Congress alleges systemic failure in the state's wheat procurement machinery, pointing to repeated extensions of procurement deadlines, delays in slot bookings, and hurdles in payment processing. The party claims that only 9.30 lakh metric tonnes of wheat were procured in the first 14 days of the procurement season, leaving farmers to absorb significant financial losses. It further alleges irregularities at procurement centres, a shortage of weighbridges, disorganised mandis, and corruption — all of which, it argues, have deepened farmers' hardships. Party leaders describe the farmers' plight as dire, saying they are forced to wait on roads with their produce in extreme heat.
What the Government Says
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, posting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, countered the Congress narrative, stating: