Political tensions escalated in Raipur on November 28 when members of the Youth Congress and NSUI staged a gherao at Saraswati Nagar police station, protesting the demolition of a popular food court and the subsequent filing of an FIR against their workers.
What Triggered the Protest?
The confrontation began after police registered an FIR against Youth Congress workers for allegedly smearing black ink on a poster of BJP MLA Rajesh Munat. This action came as a response to the demolition of the beloved food court adjacent to the international hockey stadium and opposite NIT on GE Road.
Earlier on Friday, the Shahar Jila Youth Congress had organized a massive demonstration against the destruction of what locals called the "youth hub" - a vibrant gathering spot that had served students, families, and residents for years with affordable food options.
Political Accusations and Counter-Questions
Youth Congress president Vinod Kashyap led the protesters in accusing BJP MLA and former minister Rajesh Munat of orchestrating the demolition through what they termed as "arrogance and high-handedness." The workers expressed their anger by blackening Munat's poster at the demolition site, where a new library has been proposed.
Former Congress MLA Vikas Upadhyay posed four challenging questions to the BJP and Munat, highlighting contradictions in the MLA's position. Upadhyay pointed out that while Munat had opposed the food court citing Master Plan violations, the same restrictions seemed not to apply to the proposed 'Nalanda 2' library project.
The Congress leader also recalled that when the previous Congress government developed the youth hub, BJP leaders had predicted it would become a center for criminal activities, women's harassment, and drug peddling. "Have these concerns suddenly become irrelevant?" Upadhyay questioned.
Impact on Students and Vendors
The demolition has created significant inconvenience for young people in the area and has deprived numerous vendors of their livelihood. Given the concentration of educational institutions nearby, the food court had provided a convenient and affordable dining option for students traveling from distant areas.
Upadhyay emphasized that the police filed the FIR under political pressure just two days after students and Youth Congress members protested against Munat's poster. He described Friday's police station gherao as a strong message against targeting innocent youth while serious crimes remain unchecked.
Speaking to media representatives, Kashyap stated, "The chowpatty was a significant public-utility initiative developed with public funds for youth, students, women, and citizens. But MLA Rajesh Munat, driven by power and arrogance, arbitrarily demolished it without public consultation."
Demands and Future Action
The Youth Congress has warned that protests will continue until the food court is fully restored. Their demands include:
- Immediate reconstruction of the food court
- Action against officials involved in the demolition
- Inquiry by a high-level committee
- A clear policy for future use of the site
Congress workers have also threatened to inform the Prime Minister about the alleged misuse of crores of Smart City funds due to what they call "a BJP MLA's arbitrariness." The situation remains tense as both sides dig in their positions, with the youth of Raipur caught in the political crossfire.
