Congress protests price hikes across Madhya Pradesh

Indore demonstration

Congress workers staged protests in Indore on Thursday, distributing sugar and paneer packets to highlight rising sugar prices. The demonstration took place at Rajwada, Mangalnagar petrol pump and 24 city blocks. Workers raised slogans against inflation in sugar, petrol‑gas and electricity tariffs. The protest was organised under the direction of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari.

Symbolic protest at Rajwada

At Rajwada, activists handed out sugar and paneer as a symbolic protest, calling the price rise a burden on common families. City Congress president Chintu Choukse said sugar costs have risen by ₹30‑35 per kilogram, affecting festival budgets. He warned that upcoming festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali would be hit by expensive sugar.

Other issues targeted

Petrol, ethanol blend and electricity rates were also targeted. Congress alleged ethanol blending reduces vehicle mileage and raises driver expenses. Increased electricity bills and LPG cylinder prices, the party said, add continuous financial strain on households.

Protest locations

Protest sites included Chandan Nagar pump, Bawanganga, Scheme 51, Aerodrome, Mangalnagar, Pardeshipura, Scheme 54, Robot Chowk, Scheme 78, Chhavani, Harsiddhi temple road, Rajwada, Manikbagh, Gangwal bus stand, Mahu Naka, Phuti Kothi, Tilak Nagar, Geetabhavan, Vikas Nagar, Musakhedi, Silicon City and Tejaji Nagar.

Congress leaders’ statements

Congress leader Vipin Yadav explained the distribution of small sugar packets as a symbolic message to limit sugar use during festivals, criticising government statements that people should eat less sugar due to inflation.

Pramod Kumar Dwivedi mocked BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya’s suggestion to eat less sugar to avoid diabetes, pointing out that Congress leaders consume sweets while advising public restraint.

Barwani district protest

In Barwani district, Varla block Congress committee held a protest against inflation, marching against central and state governments. After the rally, workers submitted a memorandum to the tehsildar demanding inflation control and relief for common people.

Indore additional protests

Indore Congress also protested at Harsiddhi temple road against inflation and incomplete development works. Leaders criticised delayed road construction affecting businesses. Activists cooked rotis on chulhas at the protest site and distributed sugar‑free tea as a satirical response to price rise.

Impact on business

Businessmen claimed unfinished roads in Juni Indore, Jabar colony and Nandlalpura hinder movement and harm trade. Congress workers raised slogans such as “BJP government murdabad”, “petrol ka paisa kahan gaye, BJP daba gaye” and displayed banners with slogans like “Modi tera kaise khel, sara shakkar pi gaya tel”.

Criticism of BJP leader

Councillor Raju Bhadoria ridiculed Kailash Vijayvargiya, noting his age remark and saying only a diabetic would speak that way. He accused Vijayvargiya of forgetting workers’ pain after becoming wealthy.

Bhadoria added that Vijayvargiya, once a mill worker’s son, now runs businesses abroad and has lost touch with ordinary people’s struggles.

Government promises vs reality

District Congress president Vipin Wanekhede said the government came to power with promises of lower inflation, reduced petrol prices, doubled farmer income and ₹15‑15 lakh in accounts, but now calls those promises empty rhetoric.

He pointed out rising costs of essential items like sugar, LPG and electricity, noting sugar prices have become so high that common people hesitate to buy it even for tea.

Street protests and slogans

Congress has taken to streets demanding inflation control and price reduction, chanting “Mahngai din din khaye jaat hai…” and other protest songs.

Bhavanesh Soni