Protests over the rape of a six-year-old girl continued to escalate on Wednesday, marking the fifth consecutive day of unrest across Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district. Demonstrations turned violent in Gauharganj when protesters hurled stones at police personnel, prompting officers to retaliate with lathi-charge and tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Senior officials, including the Inspector General and Additional Inspector General, reached the spot as Rapid Action Force (RAF) units were deployed to regain control. The district has been witnessing widespread anger since the November 21 rape incident, allegedly committed by a 23-year-old man identified by police as Salman, who continues to remain absconding.
Protests turn violent in Gauharganj
Tension peaked on Wednesday during a Sakal Hindu Samaj demonstration when a section of protesters targeted police personnel with stones. Smoke bombs and tear-gas shells clouded the area as authorities attempted to disperse the mob. The escalation triggered a swift reinforcement of security, with senior police officials and RAF units rushing to the spot.
The unrest rapidly spread beyond Gauharganj, affecting Raisen, Mandideep, Silwani and the surrounding regions. Demonstrators expressed frustration over the delay in arresting the accused, accusing the police of inaction.
Widespread shutdowns and community participation
As public anger intensified, markets remained shut in multiple towns and villages. Hindu organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and other outfits joined the protests, raising slogans demanding the immediate arrest and strict punishment of the accused.
Many protesters carried placards calling for unity while chanting “Jai Shri Ram”. Reports also emerged of police personnel allegedly beating a few youths during stone-pelting, which further fuelled public outrage.
In Begamganj, a bandh was observed following a joint call by the Hindu Utsav Samiti, Muslim Festival Committee and Sakal Digambar Jain Samaj Samiti. Hundreds marched to the local tehsil office before blocking the Sagar–Bhopal road, bringing traffic to a halt.
Heavy deployment as authorities try to restore calm
Faced with escalating tensions, authorities increased security across sensitive points in Raisen district. Senior officials—including the district collector, superintendent of police, sub-divisional magistrate, SDPO and SHOs—visited volatile areas to monitor the situation and reassure residents.
Additional SP Kamlesh Kharpuse confirmed that heavy police deployment remains in place. He said multiple raids are underway across nearby regions to track the absconding accused.
The state government has also been keeping a close watch. On Tuesday night, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reviewed the law-and-order situation at the police headquarters in Bhopal. He ordered immediate action and transferred Raisen SP Pankaj Kumar Pandey. However, the move failed to pacify protesters, who continued demonstrations demanding swift arrest and accountability.
Political reactions and pressure on the government
The incident has triggered a political storm in Madhya Pradesh. State Congress president Jitu Patwari met the survivor’s family at AIIMS Bhopal, where the child is currently undergoing treatment. After meeting the family, Patwari launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order.
He alleged that the police acted like “mute spectators” during the repeated protests and said that merely transferring officers cannot prevent such crimes. Patwari called for strengthening the police force through greater workforce, modern equipment and tech-enabled policing.
The case and the road ahead
The rape of the six-year-old has left the Raisen community in shock, with residents demanding immediate justice. Several social groups, student organisations and local committees have vowed to continue their protests until the accused is arrested.
Authorities have reiterated that efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused and assured that additional measures are being taken to prevent any further deterioration of the situation. Meanwhile, the survivor’s condition is being closely monitored by doctors at AIIMS Bhopal.
The administration has appealed for calm and urged residents to refrain from violence while investigations continue. However, tensions remain high, with the public insisting on swift resolution and accountability.
Conclusion
The continuing unrest in Raisen reflects deep-rooted anger over crimes against minors and perceived gaps in law-enforcement response. With the accused still at large and public fury mounting, authorities face growing pressure to deliver justice swiftly and restore peace in the region.