**Digvijaya Singh Stopped from Entering Indore’s Sheetla Mata Bazaar Amid Communal Tensions**
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh was stopped by police on Saturday from entering Sheetla Mata Bazaar. The market has recently been at the center of controversy, as traders there have been facing intense pressure to remove Muslim employees.
Singh had planned to visit the temple and meet shopkeepers in the market. However, upon arrival, police escorted him to Sarafa Police Station, leading to heated arguments between the Congress leader and officials.
The controversy began after an appeal by Eklavya Gaur, son of BJP MLA Malini Gaur, who urged traders to dismiss Muslim workers. He set a deadline of September 25, after which many shopkeepers, under mounting pressure, reluctantly terminated their Muslim staff.
As Singh’s convoy reached the market, BJP women workers protested by throwing bangles at him, shouting slogans against his visit. Some local traders also displayed saffron flags, declaring their opposition to Singh’s presence in the market. A group of women stationed near the police station carried bangles intending to present them to Digvijaya Singh as a mark of protest.
At the police station, Singh submitted a memorandum accusing the state government of encouraging communal divisions. “Is it not a crime to threaten traders just because they employ Muslims? Why has the police not filed an FIR yet?” he questioned.
He alleged that the ruling establishment was deliberately disturbing communal harmony for political gains.
The Congress leader has already filed a petition in the Indore High Court concerning the rising communal tensions, although the hearing has now been postponed to November 10.
Several traders in the market expressed their helplessness, saying they were “forced to remove loyal employees under pressure.” They lamented that the atmosphere of brotherhood and unity built over generations was being systematically eroded.
To prevent any escalation during Digvijaya Singh’s visit, heavy police presence, including RAF units, was deployed in and around the area.
Later, Singh addressed a press conference at the Indore Press Club, where he commented on various political issues, reiterating his concerns about the state of communal harmony in the region.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-news-digvijaya-singh-stopped-from-entering-sheetla-mata-bazaar-some-traders-protest-with-saffron-flags-women-throw-bangles-at-him
