“You Are a Donkey, I Am a Graduate”: Heated Exchange Between BJP MLA and Youth During 27% OBC Reservation Protest in MP

Shivpuri: A heated exchange between BJP MLA Devendra Jain and a young man during a protest demanding 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, has drawn attention after a video of the incident surfaced on social media. The confrontation took place on Wednesday, when members of the OBC Mahasabha gathered at the Collectorate to submit a memorandum demanding the implementation of the reservation quota.

During the exchange, the youth reportedly told the MLA, “You are a donkey; I am a graduate.” The remark drew applause from several protesters present at the spot, following which the MLA left the area.

Protesters Gather at Collectorate, Demand 27% Reservation

The OBC Mahasabha organised the demonstration to press for the implementation of 27% reservation for the OBC community. A large number of protesters assembled at the Shivpuri Collectorate, with Kailash Kushwaha, MLA from Pohri, also participating in the demonstration.

Tensions rose when the District Collector did not come out to receive the protesters’ memorandum. The demonstrators raised slogans against the district administration, the Collector, the local MLA, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The protesters maintained that they had every right to raise their demands as citizens and insisted that the Collector personally come forward to accept their memorandum.

Youth Challenges MLA Over Reservation Issue

During the protest, Shivpuri MLA Devendra Jain arrived at the Collectorate, where a young man confronted him over the demand for 27% OBC reservation. The youth reportedly referred to the court-related developments surrounding the reservation issue.

During the conversation, Jain asked the young man, “Am I a donkey?” The youth responded by saying that he was a graduate while describing the MLA as a donkey. The exchange prompted applause from the crowd, and the MLA subsequently left the spot.

The incident has since become a talking point on social media, with the video attracting attention.

Protesters Give Government Seven-Day Deadline

The demonstrators urged the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to take immediate steps towards implementing 27% reservation for OBCs. They called for an ordinance within seven days to address the issue.

According to the protesters, the prolonged uncertainty surrounding reservation has forced young people to repeatedly approach the courts to seek clarity and justice.

They also questioned the absence of more OBC leaders from the movement, arguing that the demand was not associated with any particular political party but was a struggle for the community’s rights. They appealed to leaders from the ruling party to come forward and address the issue.

Protesters Question Collector’s Impartiality

The demonstrators also accused the District Collector of favouring a particular political party, though the allegation was not independently established. They argued that an impartial administration should ensure that the Collector personally receives their memorandum.

Protesters further raised slogans against what they described as excessive sycophancy towards political leaders and ministers. The Collectorate premises remained filled with slogans as demonstrators continued to press for action on their demand for 27% OBC reservation.