Clash erupts at Sirsa Disha meeting as Cong MLA stages protest

A District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (Disha) meeting in Sirsa descended into chaos on Tuesday when Congress MLA Gokul Setia clashed with police and staged a sit-in protest against district officials, accusing them of ignoring public grievances.

The meeting, chaired by MP Kumari Selja at the Panchayat Bhawan, was meant to review development projects in the district. However, the situation spiralled when Setia arrived with his supporters and was stopped at the gate by police personnel.

Defying security, the MLA jumped over the gate to enter the premises, prompting officers to lock the meeting hall from inside. Enraged, Setia and his supporters began a protest outside, shouting slogans against officials for alleged inaction on civic and infrastructure issues.

Setia accused district authorities of failing the people of Sirsa.

“Cleanliness in villages is poor, roads are damaged, and Sirsa city is battling water and drug problems. Files have been sent to officials, but no action has been taken. They are not even listening,” he said.

The MLA also lashed out at the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for “not doing their jobs,” and criticised Minister Ranbir Gangwa for neglecting local grievances.

When Setia sought re-entry to the meeting, police again denied permission, leading to a heated argument between his supporters and security personnel.

DSP Adarsh Deep Singh later said the police were “only maintaining order to prevent disruption during the meeting.”

Setia maintained that his protest was not about protocol but about public accountability.

“No protocol, only protest. If I enter the meeting, they will have to answer. The next meeting will also come — they cannot stop us forever,” he asserted.

Calling upon residents to raise their voices, the MLA said, “If officials and ministers remain deaf to Sirsa’s problems, we will continue to fight.”

The meeting was attended by MP Kumari Selja, district president Santosh Beniwal, DC Shantanu Sharma and SP Deepak Saharan. INLD MLA Aditya Devi Lal was also present.

Meanwhile, a separate grievance redressal meeting expected to be attended by Minister Anil Vij was cancelled. Setia had, in fact, released a video on Monday night urging residents to join him in protest, declaring that he would fight for the people’s basic needs.