The flashpoint: BJP’s move to end MGNREGA and cut 14 lakh Below Poverty Line cards, prompting Congress to mobilize across districts like Faridabad, Hisar, and Rohtak. Yet, permissions were denied via pasted notices—a first in Hooda’s long parliamentary career. ‘Disagreement between ruling and opposition is democracy’s beauty,’ he noted, slamming the four-day custody of Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib as an assault on young voices.

Rao Narendra Singh, Haryana Congress president, amplified the outrage on social media, listing house-arrested leaders in nine districts. This clampdown on peaceful dissent reveals the BJP’s panic over public accountability, he argued. Hooda reminisced about BJP’s own protest history in opposition, questioning the double standards.

With workers and leaders confined, the Congress remains undeterred. ‘The power of the Constitution stands with us,’ Singh posted. This escalating standoff signals deeper rifts in Haryana politics, where questions on welfare schemes are being met not with debate, but detention. As the opposition digs in, the battle for democratic space intensifies.

‘This is not the first time the administration has silenced dissent through backdoor methods,’ Mirwaiz remarked, pointing to a pattern of arbitrary restrictions on Hurriyat leaders. He specifically highlighted being prevented from leading prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, a role he has fulfilled for decades.

Eyewitnesses reported a heavy contingent of police personnel surrounding his residence since early morning, turning away visitors and media personnel. The restrictions come at a time when Kashmir is bracing for the peak tourist season and major religious festivals, making the move all the more controversial.

Opposition parties and human rights activists have condemned the alleged house arrest, calling it a violation of fundamental rights. ‘Mirwaiz represents a moderate voice in Kashmir; muffling him serves no purpose,’ said a PDP spokesperson. Meanwhile, pro-India groups dismissed the claims, stating that security measures are essential to maintain peace.

The episode underscores the fragile political equilibrium in post-Article 370 J&K. With elections on the horizon, such incidents could influence public sentiment and international perceptions. As Mirwaiz remains confined, questions swirl about the administration’s strategy towards mainstreaming the separatist leadership.

Champai Soren was scheduled to plow the land in Nagri on Sunday in relation to the land dispute concerning the proposed Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences-2 (RIMS-2). A large demonstration was planned to take place with thousands of people expected to participate. However, before he could reach the protest site, he was prevented from leaving his residence.

Champai Soren shared this information on his social media handle, X. He wrote, “The Jharkhand government has placed me under house arrest since this morning to stop me from raising the voice of the tribal/original farmers of Nagri.”

The BJP leader from Jharkhand had planned to protest by plowing the land at the proposed RIMS-2 site in Nagri under the program ‘Hal Joto, Ropa Ropo’. Several other prominent BJP leaders are also being prevented from approaching the RIMS-2 land.

The administration appears to be fully prepared. Police personnel have been deployed in Nagri and surrounding areas to take immediate action against anyone attempting to disrupt the peace. This was confirmed by City DSP K.V. Raman.

It is noteworthy that there is resentment among the villagers regarding the prevention of farming on the land marked for RIMS-2 in Nagri and surrounding villages, as well as the fencing of the land with barbed wire. On the call of the ‘Nagri Land Bachao Sangharsh Samiti’ (Nagri Land Save Struggle Committee), villagers have been preparing for a protest for several days. The committee has invited farmers from the surrounding villages to participate in this protest.

The local people claim that the land was acquired a long time ago. However, since no construction work has taken place here, the farmers have a natural claim on this land.