A fresh controversy has erupted within the Madhya Pradesh Congress after former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh staged a protest in Indore’s Shitlamata Market in support of Muslim traders, deepening fault lines between senior leaders and the party’s local unit.
Singh, who visited the market on Saturday amid heightened tensions over the employment of Muslim workers, was stopped by police from entering the premises.
He then walked to the police station and submitted a memorandum seeking action against those accused of fomenting communal discord. During the protest, he was also seen engaging in a heated exchange with police officials.
However, his intervention has not gone down well with the city Congress leadership. At a district coordination meeting held on Sunday, Indore Congress president Chintu Chouksey expressed disapproval of senior leaders bypassing the local unit. Without directly naming Singh, he said, “If any leader comes to Indore and wants to take a stand on an issue, it must be decided in advance. We know the local circumstances best. From now on, no programme will be allowed without the city president’s permission.”
Former PCC chief and Union minister Arun Yadav also appeared to criticise Singh indirectly. In a social media post, Yadav argued that ‘ideological and grassroots struggle’ was essential to counter divisive politics, adding that unity and collective effort were necessary if Congress hoped to regain power in Madhya Pradesh.
“The courage and honesty with which Rahul Gandhi is fighting — if even a fraction of that is reflected here, our path will become easier,” he wrote.
The episode carries a personal backdrop as well. On Friday night, Singh had rebuked Raju Bhadauria, a close aide of Chouksey, for backing the removal of a Muslim stall at a Garba event, calling such conduct indiscipline and contrary to Congress’s secular ethos. Despite being advised by close associates, including Raghu Parmar, not to proceed with the market visit, Singh reportedly insisted, “Are you going to decide what I should do? If you cannot take to the streets with courage, then why are you in politics?”
While local leaders chose to remain silent during the meeting, Singh drew support from senior quarters. Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Umang Singhar defended him, stating, “Digvijay Singh is a committed Congress leader. He has always stood by the party’s ideology of secularism and harmony. His courage to speak against injustice should be respected, not criticised.”
The developments underline the sharp divide within the Indore Congress—between those seeking to avoid confrontation in a politically sensitive city, and those, like Singh, who favour taking assertive positions on communal issues.
