Protesters Fly Black Balloons in MP CM’s Rally, Balloon-seller Arrested

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is receiving backlash from different groups including upper caste groups who have been protesting against restoration of SC/ST Atrocities Act. During his third ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ across the state ahead of assembly election, black balloons were flown to register protest.

Chouhan was in Satna on September 18 to address a convention of backward classes organised by the BJP in view of the current opposition to the new SC/ST Atrocities Act. Throngs of people had then reportedly gathered to oppose him by shouting slogans and showing black flags. Some of the protesters even flew black balloons in protest.

To control the protesters, Satna police allegedly started beating up the protesters to shoo them. Several were reportedly injured. Taking steps to curb the dissent further, the police of Satna district arrested many protestors and a shopkeeper, Hiru Sewani, for allegedly selling black balloons to the protesters. Sewani was sent to the district court where he was released on bail. The traders’ association from Satna has objected to his arrest, as he was merely selling a commodity from his shop.

In another rally in Batul district, held on September 12, district police had allegedly asked a few college students to remove their black scarves when they were going to take part in CM’s rally. Talking to the reporters after the rally, a student said that they were students of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and their uniform was pink suit, black trouser and black scarf. They had planned to attend the CM’s rally. The lady police officer, who had reportedly asked the students to take off the scarves, took the scarves away, fearing protests, and allegedly returned those at around 8.30 pm, when the CM had left the city.

Chouhan is facing severe opposition from all over the state due to BJP's stand on the SC/ST Act. A slipper was hurled at him in Sidhi, while his election vehicle was attacked by stone-pelters at Churhat and Ujjain. Commenting over the issue, Congress Spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said, “The recent protests against CM Chouhan has put him under a lot of pressure, and he is taking such steps owing to panic." 

Members of the non-SC/ST communities are opposing the BJP-ruled government in the state and Centre for passing the new SC/ST Atrocities Act in Parliament which allows the arrest of an accused without investigation. The section of the Act which allowed arrest without investigation was termed ultra vires by the Supreme Court on March 20 this year. However, it was restored by the BJP government by bringing in a new legislation in the Parliament in August this year.