A rare and dramatic protest unfolded in Madhya Pradesh, India, when a man named Mukesh Prajapat rolled all the way to the district collector’s office in Neemuch. His unique method of protest? A garland of papers, each one representing a complaint against corruption. These complaints, according to Prajapat, had been ignored for years, targeting the sarpanch of his village, Kankariya.
Videos of Prajapat’s protest, crawling and rolling with the paper garland around his neck, went viral on social media. The state Congress even shared the clip on its official X handle.
Prajapat’s desperate act came after years of seeking redress for his grievances. He claimed that he had been highlighting his concerns for the past 6 to 7 years, but authorities had failed to take action.
The district collector, Himanshu Chandra, was moved by the man’s plight and promptly ordered a fresh investigation into Prajapat’s complaints. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mamta Khede confirmed that a probe had already been conducted by the Panchayat and Rural Development department, but a new investigation would be conducted as per the collector’s directives.
Public hearings are held every Tuesday in all MP districts, where senior officials address citizens’ grievances. However, this incident highlights the frustration and desperation of citizens seeking justice against corrupt officials.
The incident recalls another protest in July, where an elderly farmer in Mandsaur district rolled on the floor of the collector’s office, alleging land-grabbing and lack of administrative support. These protests underscore the need for effective mechanisms to address citizens’ complaints and ensure accountability within the government.
