Chhattisgarh Kranti Sena Chief Arrested: Supporters Protest as Amit Baghel Faces Legal Consequences for Controversial Remarks

On October 26, the statue of the Chhattisgarhiya Mahtari was vandalized at Raipur's VIP Chowk.

Bhopal:

Chhattisgarh Kranti Sena's state president Amit Baghel was arrested on Thursday in Raipur while attempting to surrender in a case related to alleged objectionable comments.

The arrest occurred dramatically outside the police station. Baghel's supporters claim he was approaching to voluntarily surrender when officers apprehended him approximately 20 meters from the station entrance. While authorities described it as a routine legal procedure, supporters criticized the police for using unnecessary force against someone willingly complying with legal requirements.

After his arrest, Baghel appeared before a court and was remanded to three days in police custody. Given the recent passing of his mother on Friday, the court granted a temporary accommodation allowing Baghel to attend her funeral in his ancestral village under police escort before returning to custody.

The arrest prompted immediate reactions from Baghel's followers, who blocked Amapara G Road from both directions, causing significant traffic disruption for nearly two hours. Police eventually cleared one lane to restore limited traffic flow. Authorities implemented substantial security measures around the court premises, including barricades, increased police presence, and surveillance, anticipating large gatherings and potential demonstrations during the remand proceedings.

Baghel had evaded authorities for 26 days before his arrest. On November 26, the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail application with a stern admonishment to "control your tongue."

The highest court instructed him to face legal proceedings in all jurisdictions where multiple FIRs had been filed against him across 12 states, clearly indicating he would receive no legal protection. During an earlier hearing on November 24, the Supreme Court also refused to consolidate the various FIRs, remarking, "The police will take you to different states. Enjoy a tour of the entire country."

What Happened?

The legal issues originated from Baghel's alleged remarks on October 27 concerning Agrasen Maharaj and Jhulelal, figures highly venerated by the Agrawal and Sindhi communities respectively. His comments triggered widespread outrage, leading to protests across the state and multiple calls for legal action. Authorities eventually registered an FIR against him at the City Kotwali police station.

On October 26, the Chhattisgarhiya Mahtari statue was vandalized at Raipur's VIP Chowk. Members of the Kranti Sena protested this vandalism the following day, resulting in confrontations with police. However, the situation escalated into a major controversy following Baghel's subsequent inflammatory statements.

The Chhattisgarhiya Mahatari statue, representing the state's cultural identity through a woman in traditional attire holding paddy and a diya, was installed in 2022 by then-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.