A man threw a slipper at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a public meeting in Sidhi district on Sunday, but the footwear narrowly missed its target.
Mr. Chouhan was preparing to address the meeting after welcoming dignitaries and local party leaders. A video clip of the man throwing the slipper has gone viral on social media.
Though his identity is not known, a senior police officer said it was the handiwork of some upper caste people protesting against the amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It was the second attack on Mr. Chouhan on Sunday. Earlier, a group of people threw stones at his high-tech bus, modified as a chariot, near Patpara village in the district. “A group showed black flags to Mr. Chouhan when he arrived in Patpara. Stones were hurled at the bus, cracking a glass window. We have arrested nine persons,” said Churhat police inspector Ram Babu Choudhari.
Mr. Chouhan, touring the State ahead of the Assembly polls due later this year, blamed the Oopposition Congress on Monday for the attack on his vehicle, saying it is “thirsty for my blood”.
This is his third ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ as Chief Minister of the State since 2003. In 2003 and 2008, Mr. Chouhan had taken out similar yatras ahead of the elections.
During the past few days, upper caste members, protesting against the amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, have sharpened their attack on public representatives, including Union Ministers and Congress MPs.
On Tuesday, over a dozen social organisations, representing the upper and backward castes, under the banner of the Samanya Pichhra Varg Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj, are organising a mega show of strength in Gwalior.
Some time ago, State SAPAKS head Hiralal Trivedi had announced that it will field candidates in all the 230 Assembly constituencies of the State.
