Congress Leaders Injured as Stage Collapses During Farmers’ Protest in Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Several Congress leaders and workers were injured after a stage collapsed during a massive protest in Bhopal on Monday. The demonstration, organized by the Madhya Pradesh Congress, was aimed at pressuring the government to fulfill its promises to farmers, women, and youth.

Chaos ensued as the stage gave way, leaving multiple leaders lying on the ground injured, while others rushed to provide assistance and carry them to safety. The extent of injuries among party workers remains unclear, but eyewitnesses reported a panic-stricken crowd scrambling to help the fallen leaders.

The protest, led by State Congress President Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Umang Singhar, and MLA Sachin Yadav, took place at Rang Mahal Square. As thousands of Congress workers marched towards the state assembly, police deployed water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, intensifying tensions between the protesters and security forces.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Jitu Patwari emphasized that it was Congress’s responsibility to hold the BJP accountable for its unfulfilled promises. He demanded that the state government ensure a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹3,100 per quintal for rice, ₹2,700 per quintal for wheat, and ₹6,000 per quintal for other crops. Patwari further criticized Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, stating that despite hailing from Madhya Pradesh, he has failed to address MSP concerns.

Congress also announced that if the procurement of rice and wheat is not done as per government commitments, the party will take its protests to every mandi (agricultural market) across the state. Patwari warned that the Congress’s farmers’ wing would continue agitations for the next two months until the demands are met.

LoP Umang Singhar reaffirmed the party’s unwavering support for farmers, declaring that the Congress will take the fight from the streets to the state assembly. He also criticized the Kisan Sangh, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for failing to secure BJP’s promised benefits for farmers despite backing the party in elections.

“The Kisan Sangh staged fake protests, but Congress stands firmly with the farmers and will fight for them at every level,” Singhar said.

The collapse of the stage has raised concerns over safety measures at political protests, but Congress leaders remain determined to push forward with their campaign for farmer welfare and government accountability.