Critics of ministers and officials face externment orders in MP:Opposition leaders, activists and farmers allege misuse of power

“I have been externed from seven districts. I am an elected public representative — how will I work for my village’s development now? The action against me was taken under pressure.” These allegations were made by Jitendra Hathiya, Sarpanch of Sultania Gram Panchayat in Rajgarh district. On May 13, Collector Girish Mishra ordered Hathiya’s externment from seven districts, including Rajgarh, for one year. Hathiya alleged that the action was carried out under pressure from Minister of State Gautam Tetwal after he filed a court petition challenging the minister’s caste certificate. Tetwal, however, denied the allegations. Over the past few months, several districts across Madhya Pradesh have witnessed externment orders, arrests and criminal cases against opposition leaders, farmer activists and social workers. A Bhaskar investigation found that, in most cases, the action targeted individuals who had led protests or raised their voices against the administration and government policies. Legal experts told Dainik Bhaskar that externment is an extraordinary administrative power and should only be used under specific conditions. Here is the report. Cases where externment or action was taken Congress leader served externment notice in Dewas The Dewas district administration issued an externment notice to Congress leader Jitendra Singh Gaur, citing his past criminal record as the basis for the action. In recent months, Gaur had been actively raising local administrative issues and publicly criticising the system. His supporters alleged that the move was aimed at suppressing his political activism. Administration’s stand: Action taken under legal provisions According to Ashok Verma, president of the Dewas District Bar Association and a senior advocate, externment is justified only when a person faces serious criminal charges and their presence poses a genuine threat to society. He said that using such action in old or non-serious cases may not stand legal scrutiny. The administration maintained that the action was taken strictly under legal provisions and had no connection with political activities. Arrest of social activist in Chhatarpur sparks debate The arrest of social activist Amit Bhatnagar in Chhatarpur has also drawn attention. Bhatnagar has long been active on issues related to compensation and survey rights for tribal families affected by the Ken-Betwa river-linking project. The Forest Department accused him of entering the core area of Panna Tiger Reserve without permission and initiated action under the Wildlife Protection Act. Family alleges “abduction” Even after securing bail, action was reportedly taken against him in another case. His family alleged that authorities did not disclose his whereabouts for some time after the arrest, while the administration described it as part of standard legal procedure. Officials argued that entering a protected forest area without permission is a violation of law, regardless of the person involved. Bhatnagar’s associates claimed he had gone there to assess the problems of displaced families and that the action was intended to weaken the movement. Farmer leader in Ujjain faces externment Farmer leader Ashok Jat had been leading protests over fertiliser shortages and demands for a minimum support price for soybeans. The administration termed the demonstrations a threat to law and order, registered cases against him and initiated externment proceedings. Jat and his supporters argued that criminalising legitimate farmers’ demands was unjustified. Authorities, however, claimed the protests disrupted public order, which formed the basis for the action. Farmer and son jailed after protest at Khandwa collectorate During a public grievance hearing at the Khandwa Collectorate, a farmer and his son raised allegations over a land access dispute. After the situation turned chaotic, the administration detained both and sent them to jail. The incident triggered protests outside the collectorate by Congress workers. After his release, farmer Shyam Kumarawat said they were merely demanding their rights. The administration stated that action was necessary after discipline was disrupted during the public hearing. Rajgarh Sarpanch alleges political vendetta Jitendra Hathiya said he was seeking a ticket from the Sarangpur Assembly seat during the 2023 Assembly elections, which allegedly angered Minister Gautam Tetwal. According to Hathiya, several cases were filed against him in collusion with the administration, despite none of the allegations being proven so far. He claimed he had raised issues concerning the public and spoken out against encroachments on government land, after which action was initiated against him. Hathiya also questioned how he would resolve village issues while being barred from entering the districts under the externment order. Minister Gautam Tetwal dismissed all allegations, calling them politically motivated. “Suppressing dissent is wrong”: Activists speak out Tribal rights activist Dr Anand Rai said that whenever protesters in Madhya Pradesh exercised their constitutional rights or opposed land acquisition in tribal areas, authorities responded with restrictive measures such as the National Security Act (NSA) and externment orders. He cited the example of tribal youth Vilesh Kharadi, against whom the NSA was imposed after protests over the deaths of two youths in a bus accident. Rai claimed Kharadi has remained in jail for the past two years. BJP defends the action Several opposition leaders, including Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari, described these actions as signs of “police rule” and an “undeclared Emergency”. They alleged that opposition workers faced harsh action, while cases involving ruling party leaders were handled leniently. BJP spokesperson Kalpesh Thakur rejected the allegations, saying that measures like NSA detention or externment are never imposed arbitrarily but are based on major incidents and officially registered cases. Legal experts warn against misuse High Court advocate Tanuj Dixit said externment is an extraordinary administrative power, not a routine tool. According to him, if such powers are selectively used against protesters or dissenters, it could amount to a violation of Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before law and freedom of expression.