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Congress MLAs play flute before ‘buffalo' in unique protest at M.P. Assembly; Speaker asks ministers to give direct answers

Congress MLAs play flute before ‘buffalo' in unique protest at M.P. Assembly; Speaker asks ministers to give direct answers

The Hindu7 days ago
The Congress MLAs on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) staged a protest on the Legislative Assembly's premises, during the ongoing Monsoon Session, by playing flutes before symbolic buffaloes while accusing the Madhya Pradesh Government of silence over various issues of public importance.
Led by Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, the Congress MLAs enacted the popular Hindi saying 'bhains ke aage been bajana (playing flute before a buffalo)' which means that there is no point of saying anything to someone who won't do anything about it.
Speaking to the reporters, Mr. Singhar accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of being 'completely insensitive' towards the public's issues like unemployment, farmers' distress and 27 percent reservation for the State's Other Backward Classes (OBC).
'A government as inactive as a buffalo! The government has now become completely insensitive. Just as a buffalo neither listens nor reacts when a flute is played in front of it, similarly, this BJP government remains silent on the serious and public-interest issues raised by the opposition,' the Congress leader said, while other MLAs played flutes before two persons dressed as buffaloes.
'People are struggling with inflation, the government does not want to give jobs to the youth, it does not tell when the State will receive investment, farmers are not getting fertilizers. We have played the flute [sought answers] about these issues but the government rejects them and is sitting with its eyes closed. It does not listen, speak, or find a solution,' he added.
As part of a strategy devised during a recently held two-day training camp for party MLAs, the Congress legislators are demonstrating in unique ways in the Assembly. Earlier on Monday on the opening day of the Session, the MLAs displayed toy chameleons and accused the Government of 'changing colours or its stance' on issues.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar directed the ministers to give direct answers to the questions asked in the House instead of saying that the information is being collected.
Mr. Tomar's instructions came after Congress MLA Bala Bachchan complained that at least 16 questions, asked of the departments helmed by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, have received similar responses that the details are being gathered.
Taking cognizance of the matter, Mr. Tomar said that he has also noticed the trend.
'Instructions have been given on this matter earlier. The chief minister is sitting here. A direct answer should come,' Mr. Tomar said.
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