Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal/Indore

Bhopal/Indore, Feb 21: Tensions flared across Madhya Pradesh on Friday as workers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition Indian National Congress engaged in violent clashes, leaving several people, including police personnel and media staff, injured.

The confrontation took place during a state-wide protest organized by the BJP Yuva Morcha. The demonstration was staged to express outrage over a “semi-nude” protest carried out by Congress workers during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. In Indore, the BJP protesters gathered near the Congress office at Gandhi Bhavan, where the situation quickly escalated.

Protests also unfolded in Bhopal, Gwalior, and Rewa, during which BJP workers reportedly burned effigies of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. According to officials, stone-pelting broke out between BJP and Congress workers, with water bottles, oil bags, oranges, and tomatoes also thrown amid the chaos.

Social media footage showed police attempting to control the situation as the violence unfolded. Additional forces and water cannons were deployed to disperse the crowd. Among the injured were a Sub-Inspector and a cameraman, both of whom were hospitalized for treatment.

In the aftermath, both parties accused each other of instigating the violence. BJP media in-charge Ashish Agarwal claimed, “Congress workers initiated stone-pelting during what was a peaceful demonstration at Rajwada in protest against the Bharat Mandapam incident. BJP officials, including women workers, were injured in the attack. The scattered stones and bricks indicate that Congress came prepared to incite violence.”

On the other hand, state Congress president Jitu Patwari alleged that BJP workers attacked Congress members outside their office, seriously injuring Indore District President Vipin Wankhede and several colleagues. He added that many journalists and civilians were also hurt in the clashes.

Indore police confirmed that law and order has been restored and an investigation is underway. Security around Congress offices in both Bhopal and Indore has been significantly increased following the incident.