‘We would have used sticks,’ says MLA:Congress protests Class 12 student’s harsh detention in Shahdol

The arrest and jailing of a Class 12 student in Shahdol has sparked a political storm. At Congress’s “Jan Aakrosh Rally,” leaders strongly criticised the administration and the government. Pushparajgarh MLA Fundelal Singh Marco said from the stage, “If the Collector were here today, we would have also hit with sticks.” Meanwhile, Bichhiya MLA alleged, “Collectors in the state have been turned into enforcers.” What is the complete matter?
On 8 February, CM Dr. Mohan Yadav visited Dhanpuri for an official programme in Shahdol. At Gopalpur Tiraha, Congress workers tried to show black flags in protest. Following the disturbance, police took around 40 people into custody. Among those arrested was a 17-year-8-month-old student. The Collector, Dr. Kedar Singh, allegedly dispersed protesters with a baton. The student was sent to jail under Section 151 as an adult. Student missed 12th exam Documents later revealed the student’s birth date as 22 May 2008, confirming he was a minor. By then, however, he had already been sent to Budhar jail. As a result, he could not sit for his 12th board English exam. His family claimed that timely age verification could have prevented him from missing the exam. SP had said – Later confirmed to be minor SP Ramji Srivastava said the arrest papers were prepared based on the age provided by those arrested. IG Chaitra N of Shahdol Zone confirmed that the student’s age was unclear at the time of arrest, and his minor status was verified later. Legal action is being considered. Congress said – There will be accountability in 2028 Led by state Congress president Jitu Patwari, the rally started from Jaystambh Chowk. After paying tribute at Ambedkar Chowk, the procession moved to the Collectorate, where a memorandum was submitted. Leaders said that when power changes in 2028, “every action will be accounted for.” A large police presence remained during the rally. MLAs submit memorandum in Collector’s absence At the Collectorate, when Patwari and protesters arrived to submit the memorandum, SP Ramji Srivastava, ADM Sarodhan Singh, District Panchayat CEO Shivam Prajapati, and other officers received it. Collector Kedar Singh was absent due to a meeting in Bhopal. Patwari, waiting for the Collector, directed officials about handling the memorandum. When the police refused, he asked the present MLAs and district president to submit it.