Karni Sena protest ends after 1 demand accepted:Questions raised whether action against cops was sole motive; officials assure fulfilment of remaining demands

The Karni Sena protest held on December 21 at Nehru Ground in Harda has come under scrutiny after it ended abruptly when just one demand from the organisation’s 21-point charter was accepted. Around 20,000 people from across the state participated in the 11-hour-long agitation. Karni Sena leaders had claimed the demands reflected the interests of all communities. However, the protest was called off once the administration agreed to take action against police personnel accused of a lathi-charge during a July incident. After all, what was Karni Sena’s demand and why did the agitation end after only one demand was met? Read the report… Background: July baton-charge sparked anger In July this year, Harda police carried out a lathi-charge and arrests against Karni Sena office-bearers during a protest. Karni Sena Parivar chief Jeevan Singh Sherpur was among those detained. Since then, the organization had been demanding action against the responsible police officials. When the administration announced the removal of the accused police personnel and ordered a magisterial inquiry, Karni Sena called off the protest. Were all 21 demands genuine? When questioned by Bhaskar about whether the large-scale protest was meant only to address police action, Karni Sena office-bearers said the remaining demands would be pursued later through talks with the state government. Leaders claimed ‘Sarv Samaj’ issues Karni Sena had begun mobilizing support nearly 10 days before the protest. Earlier, when Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Indore, Karni Sena leaders attempted to meet him but were stopped by police, following which they staged a sit-in. Karni Sena chief Jeevan Singh Sherpur had stated that the Harda protest would raise issues concerning all sections of society, not just one community. Leaders from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, including Mahipal Singh Makrana and Surajpal Ammu, also attended. Ultimatum and escalation threat From early morning, supporters gathered at the stadium. By 11 am, leaders arrived and began an indefinite fast. Sherpur gave the administration a deadline of 3 pm, warning that the protest would intensify if demands were not met. When no resolution came by the deadline, national president Mahipal Singh Makrana warned of road blockades and marches toward Bhopal and Delhi, asserting that discipline should not be mistaken for weakness. Internal dissent: ‘Government betrayed us’ Former organization general secretary Shailendra Singh Jhala recalled a similar 2023 protest at Bhopal’s Jamboree Maidan, where ministers had promised to fulfill 18 of 22 demands. A committee was formed but failed to deliver results, he alleged, accusing the government of backtracking. Administration meets leaders A second round of talks took place at a hotel between district officials and Karni Sena leaders. Protesters continued chanting Hanuman Chalisa at the venue, while health checks were conducted for fasting leaders. During this phase, leaders also floated the idea of forming a political party, claiming their issues were not being raised in legislative forums. Administration accepts one key demand By around 7 pm, the administration agreed to act on the primary demand related to the July lathi-charge. Officials announced that five police personnel were attached to police headquarters (PHQ) and a magisterial inquiry was ordered. Karni Sena leaders confirmed that while only one demand had been met, it was within the district administration’s authority. The remaining demands, they said, would be forwarded to the state government. Announcement of new political party After the acceptance of the demand, Karni Sena leaders announced plans to form a political party, stating that their voice was not being heard in government. They pledged to continue the struggle through political means and officially ended the 11-hour protest. Was the protest only for one demand?
After the protest ended, when the Bhaskar reporter asked this question to former organization minister Shailendra Singh Jhala, he said that we were continuously demanding from the Harda district administration that there should be a judicial inquiry into the lathi charge on us on July 11-12, and action should be taken against the guilty officers. Besides this, we have 21 demands related to the state and central governments. What was in the hands of the Harda administration, they have fulfilled that demand. Orders for a magisterial inquiry have been given and the guilty policemen have been line-attached. The remaining demands have been sent to the state government. Police response Harda SP Shashank Jain said the administration maintained continuous dialogue with Karni Sena leaders. He confirmed that officials involved in the July incident had been attached to PHQ pending the magisterial inquiry.