Police Officer and Lawyer Face Off with "Jai Shri Ram" Chants Amid Tensions in Gwalior

Bhopal:

The streets of Gwalior echoed with "Jai Shri Ram" chants this evening during an intense confrontation between police officer Hina Khan and lawyer Anil Mishra, despite prohibitory orders and heightened security measures across the city. What began as enforcement of prohibitory orders quickly escalated into a remarkable standoff, with both officials exchanging the religious chant before onlookers.

Tensions have been running high in Gwalior regarding the installation of BR Ambedkar's statue at the Madhya Pradesh High Court premises. Although Dalit groups have cancelled their planned October 15 protest march, authorities have maintained strict security protocols throughout the city due to previous instances of caste-related conflicts.

According to witnesses, advocate Mishra, who previously headed the lawyers' association, arrived with supporters to conduct a Sundar Kand recitation from the Ramayan near Phoolbagh on Monday evening.

DSP Hina Khan intervened to stop the gathering, citing current prohibitory orders. Mishra responded angrily, alleging Khan was "against Sanatan Dharma" and began loudly chanting "Jai Shri Ram".

In an unexpected move, DSP Khan approached Mishra directly, maintained eye contact, and joined in chanting "Jai Shri Ram" herself.

Witnesses report that the officer then calmly asked, "What else?" before returning to manage the assembled crowd.

The unusual exchange quickly became a major talking point throughout the city.

This incident occurs while Gwalior remains under high alert regarding the Ambedkar statue controversy. More than 4,000 police personnel have been deployed citywide, with Section 163 in effect prohibiting public gatherings.

The situation had previously taken on casteist overtones and intensified after Anil Mishra made inflammatory remarks about BR Ambedkar in a video that went viral, describing him as "a slave-agent of the British and a liar." These comments sparked widespread outrage across the Gwalior-Chambal region, resulting in multiple police complaints.