Raipur
A controversy erupted in Chhattisgarh after Amit Baghel, chief of the Johar Chhattisgarh Party and the Chhattisgarh Kranti Sena, made inflammatory remarks against Maharaja Agrasen, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, leading to widespread protests by the Agarwal community across the state.
The statement by Baghel came amid the ongoing row over the vandalisation of the ‘Chhattisgarh Mahtari’ statue at VIP Chowk in Raipur. Baghel questioned why the statues of Pt. Upadhyaya, Dr. Mukherjee, and Maharaja Agrasen were not being damaged, using derogatory language. He also questioned the identity of Maharaja Agrasen and made objectionable comments against the Sindhi community’s deity.
The Agarwal community has opened a front against Baghel’s remarks, demanding his immediate apology and arrest. Demonstrations have been held in Raipur, Raigarh, and Surguja, with community members filing police complaints.
Protests and Police Complaints
In Raigarh, a large number of community members gathered at Gandhi Ganj before submitting a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police (SP) office. The memorandum stated that Baghel used “indecent words” against Maharaja Agrasen, the ancestors of Lord Ram, Pt. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya, and the deity of the Sindhi community.
Raigarh police confirmed receiving the application and assured that appropriate legal action would be taken after an enquiry. Bajrang Agarwal, president of the Agrasen Sewa Sangh, stated that the remarks have hurt religious sentiments, warning of a larger agitation if action is not taken.
In Surguja, members of the Agarwal Samaj staged a dharna (sit-in) outside the Kotwali police station, demanding an FIR against Baghel. Additional SP Amolak Singh confirmed that an FIR was being registered.
‘Remarks are Intolerable’: Agarwal Samaj Central President
Dau Anurag Agarwal, Central President of the Chhattisgarh Agarwal Samaj, condemned the remarks as intolerable, highlighting the community’s major contributions to Chhattisgarh:
• 1,729 acres of land donated by Dau Kalyan Singh for agricultural college/university
• Land for DKS Hospital and 250 acres for AIIMS Raipur
• Dau Dinanath built Dudhadhari Mandir
The protests demand strict action and a public apology from Amit Baghel to maintain social harmony in the state.
Statue Vandalisation Case Status
The controversy began when the ‘Chhattisgarh Mahtari’ statue at VIP Chowk was damaged on Saturday night. Members of the Chhattisgarh Kranti Sena created chaos, resulting in a brief scuffle with police.
The statue was reinstalled on Monday. Police arrested the accused, Manoj Satnami, a resident of Pusaur, Sarangarh. CSP Ramakant Sahu confirmed that Satnami, who is mentally unwell and was intoxicated, admitted to the offence.
