Assembly Secretariat Accused of Stifling Public‑Interest Issues in Madhya Pradesh

A protest erupted inside the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on July 20 after MLA Pankaj Upadhyay alleged that the secretariat systematically blocks questions related to the Kailaras Sugar Mill.

Upadhyay detailed that his five submissions – spanning sessions from December 2025 to the current sitting – were each dismissed without a stated reason. He argued that the mill’s operations impact the livelihood of hundreds of farmers and laborers in the Muraina district, making the issue a matter of public interest.

The MLA sought clarification from the Assembly’s chief secretary but walked away without receiving a satisfactory answer. He warned that such arbitrary rejections diminish the constitutional role of legislators and weaken democratic processes.

Senior Congress leader Jaywardhan Singh supported the protest, stating that curbing discussion on the sugar mill threatens the economic stability of the local community. He called for immediate corrective action to restore the right of elected representatives to raise concerns.

The gathering concluded with a call for the secretariat to provide a transparent list of reasons for each rejected question, aiming to restore confidence in the legislative framework.