MP CM Yadav criticises Digvijaya for questioning Naxal leader Hidma’s killing

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Sunday sharply criticised former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh for questioning the encounter in which Chhattisgarh’s most wanted Naxalite, Hidma, was killed. Yadav said it was “deeply unfortunate” that a senior leader would cast doubt on an operation carried out by security forces fighting one of the country’s most violent extremist movements.

In a video statement, Yadav said, “It is a matter of great regret that former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh appears to stand with Naxal elements when the nation is fighting against them. Calling the encounter fake is extremely disappointing, especially when many Congress leaders themselves have been victims of Naxal violence.”

The Chief Minister demanded an apology from Singh, adding that the ongoing campaign to give a “final farewell to the ideology of Lal Salaam” required support from all political quarters. “As a senior leader, he should remember that Naxalites are loyal to no one. He owes an apology to the people,” Yadav asserted.

Yadav also accused Singh of ignoring the sacrifice of Ashish Sharma, a police officer from Narsinghpur who lost his life in the encounter. “At the very least, Digvijaya Singh should have expressed condolences to the martyr’s family. Ashish Sharma fought bravely and laid down his life. He deserved recognition, even a recommendation for the President’s award,” Yadav said. He added that the state Government had extended every possible support to Sharma’s family, in accordance with the wishes of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister. The Government has announced an out-of-turn sub-inspector appointment for Sharma’s younger brother and a plan to build a park and stadium in the martyr’s name in his village. “We are honoring his extraordinary sacrifice, but Congress’s former chief minister could not offer even a few words of sympathy. There is nothing more unfortunate,” Yadav said.

The controversy began when Digvijaya Singh shared a video of tribal activist Soni Sori, who alleged that the encounter was “fake” and claimed it amounted to “murder.” The post sparked an intense political row, with the BJP accusing Singh of weakening the morale of security forces and amplifying narratives that favour Naxal groups.