During a mock Parliament in Bhopal, medical student Chhaya Balgariya questioned MP CM Mohan Yadav on the government’s silence over sexual harassment, sparking a powerful moment. Her bold stand brought attention to the need for open dialogue and action on women’s safety issues in Madhya Pradesh.
In an unexpected yet powerful moment during a mock Parliament programme in Bhopal, a medical student, Chhaya Balgariya, boldly questioned Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on the government’s silence over the issue of sexual harassment. The event, held on Thursday, was part of a series organized by the BJP to mark 50 years since the Emergency, allowing participants to freely engage in discussion with state leaders.
Chhaya Balgariya, who was portraying the Leader of the Opposition during the session, raised a thought-provoking question during an interaction on the topic of the Emergency. She asked the Chief Minister why sexual harassment is not a subject of active discussion in government-led platforms, despite its grave implications on women’s safety and dignity.
“Why is the issue of sexual harassment not part of your government’s programmes? You talk about the Emergency and a developed India, but remain silent on the harassment faced by women,” asked Balgariya. Her bold statement left the audience momentarily stunned and compelled the Chief Minister to respond directly.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, taken aback by the pointed question, responded by highlighting the efforts his government has made in addressing crimes against women. He cited Madhya Pradesh’s pioneering legal step—becoming the first state in the country to introduce the death penalty for the sexual harassment of minor girls. Yadav also mentioned that both the district collector and superintendent of police in Narsinghpur are women, indicating growing leadership roles for women in the state.
Despite the Chief Minister’s defense, Balgariya’s comments brought much-needed attention to the perceived gaps in discourse around women’s safety in political and public forums. She alleged that such topics are often brushed aside or deliberately ignored, and that survivors of harassment are frequently denied justice due to institutional apathy and societal stigma.
This was the first time since the series of mock Parliament sessions began on June 25 that a participant raised a socially charged and sensitive issue like sexual harassment. Balgariya’s intervention is being widely seen as a reflection of growing public frustration over the lack of tangible progress and open dialogue on crimes against women, even as the government claims advancement in other sectors.
The programme continued with newly appointed BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal addressing the gathering. In his speech, Khandelwal lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives over the past 11 years to increase women’s representation in various fields and to empower them financially.
He also criticized the Congress for its role during the Emergency, saying, “Indira Gandhi crushed Indian democracy in her hunger for power and for her supremacy. The slogan ‘Indira is India’ raised by Congress leaders was highly disrespectful to our democratic values.”
While the BJP’s campaign aims to spotlight the misdeeds of the Emergency era and promote the achievements of the current regime, Balgariya’s intervention served as a poignant reminder that critical issues like sexual harassment still require urgent and ongoing dialogue at all levels of governance.
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Her question—simple but courageous—resonated with many as it underscored a long-standing societal issue that continues to be swept under the rug. The moment also reflects a growing trend of young Indians, particularly women, demanding accountability and reform from political leadership.
Whether her question will lead to more open discussions and policy focus on sexual harassment remains to be seen. But for now, Chhaya Balgariya has ensured that the silence on the issue was at least momentarily broken.
