Tribal Protest March To Bhopal Puts Mohan Yadav Govt Under Pressure, Shivraj Chouhan Steps In

A protest over the demolition of tribal families’ homes in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district has escalated into a march towards Bhopal, putting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s government under pressure and highlighting tensions within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

After five days of a sit-in at Kosmi village failed to resolve the dispute, tribal residents began marching towards the state capital on Thursday, seeking a meeting with Yadav. They want to submit land documents and demand compensation, rehabilitation and action against officials responsible for the demolition.

The protest has also drawn attention because Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and longtime representative of the Budhni Assembly constituency, has publicly criticised officials of his own party’s government over the incident.

Organisers estimate that around 5,000 people could join the march, with the number potentially increasing to 10,000 as residents from other villages join along the route. A demonstration is planned in Bhopal on October 17, with women, children, young people and elderly residents from more than 35 villages participating, according to people associated with the protest.

“We want the Chief Minister to take cognisance of the injustice done by the forest department to Adivasi families. On October 11, the houses of 12 families were demolished, leaving them homeless. We elected this government and we hope the Chief Minister will listen to us and ensure justice,” said Ramesh Barela, an Adivasi leader participating in the march.

Why Were Tribal Families’ Houses Demolished?

The Forest Department and Madhya Pradesh Van Vikas Nigam have said the action was taken to remove encroachments on forest land where a plantation had been established in 2021.

The affected families, however, maintain that they have lived on and cultivated the land for generations. They are seeking compensation for the loss of their homes, crops and belongings, recognition of their land claims and action against the officials involved in the demolition.

The failure of talks with the local administration prompted the residents to take their demands directly to the state capital.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Questions Officials

Days before the march, Chouhan publicly reprimanded the BJP-led state administration, accusing officials of “committing an extreme act of injustice”.

He also questioned why families who had voted for the BJP were being targeted.

Chouhan’s intervention has given the protest greater political visibility, particularly because he previously served as Madhya Pradesh chief minister for nearly two decades across three terms and represented Budhni, the Assembly constituency under which Kosmi falls, for years.

His son, Kartikeya Singh Chouhan, visited Kosmi on October 13, met the affected families and shared a meal with them. His visit further highlighted the family’s involvement in the dispute.

Mohan Yadav Orders Investigation

The controversy has placed Yadav in a politically sensitive position, requiring him to address the grievances of tribal families while responding to criticism from a senior BJP leader.

Chouhan has not directly accused Yadav of ordering the demolition. Instead, he has alleged that officials acted in a manner that could damage the chief minister’s reputation and demanded action against those responsible.

Yadav has said he sought a report from the administration and ordered an investigation into the matter.

Responding to Chouhan’s criticism, the chief minister said: “Our senior leader has raised an issue, and we will get the matter investigated. Everything will be clear after that. Doodh ka doodh, aur paani ka paani hojayega.”

Late on Thursday, a delegation led by Chouhan, including members of the tribal community, met Yadav at his residence.

The chief minister assured the delegation that the matter was being investigated thoroughly and “with utmost seriousness”. He also said justice would be ensured for all and that a practical solution would be worked out through mutual dialogue.

BJP Internal Differences Come Into Focus

The Kosmi protest has also brought renewed attention to reported discontent among some BJP legislators and supporters over the functioning of the state administration.

According to BJP functionaries, some leaders associated with Chouhan believe they have become increasingly marginalised under the present government, particularly when seeking administrative assistance for their constituencies.

A senior BJP leader said tensions had been building for some time, adding that the public dispute was partly linked to Yadav reversing several decisions taken during Chouhan’s tenure.

The leader also pointed to complaints from some serving and former ministers and senior MLAs that local officials no longer respond to their requests with the same urgency as before.

Some leaders who were previously part of the state government also feel excluded from official functions and public events, or believe they no longer receive the same level of recognition, sources said.

BJP spokesperson Hitesh Bajpai, however, rejected suggestions of an internal dispute, maintaining that there was “no dispute within the party”.

Chouhan Has Raised Other Issues With State Government

The Kosmi controversy is not the first instance in which Chouhan has publicly questioned the Madhya Pradesh government’s handling of an issue.

In July, he raised concerns over moong procurement after farmers complained of delays.

In June 2025, he intervened over action against tribal residents in the Khivni Wildlife Sanctuary area. Following that intervention, the divisional forest officer in Sehore was transferred.

These episodes have added context to Chouhan’s latest intervention, which has brought tribal land claims, administrative accountability and reported differences within the BJP into the spotlight.

What Happens Next?

The planned October 17 demonstration in Bhopal could intensify pressure on the state government if the march attracts the numbers anticipated by organisers.

The immediate challenge for the Yadav administration is to address the families’ demands, establish the circumstances surrounding the demolition and determine whether any officials acted improperly.

For the BJP, the dispute also presents a test of how the government manages a sensitive tribal grievance while responding to public criticism from one of its most prominent leaders.

The outcome will depend on the findings of the investigation and whether the state government can reach a settlement with the affected families.