Madhya Pradesh police allegedly shaved the heads of several men and paraded them publicly for celebrating India’s Champions Trophy victory “dangerously.”
The incident, which took place in Neemuch district, has drawn widespread criticism for its excessive use of force and violation of human rights.
Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district have taken drastic measures against young men celebrating India’s Champions Trophy victory on March 9, 2025. Reports indicate that officers shaved the heads of several youths and paraded them through the streets, a punishment for what authorities deemed “dangerous” and disruptive celebrations following the cricket triumph. The incident, captured in viral videos, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing condemnation from local leaders and citizens alike.
VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh: Police shave heads and parade those accused of creating ruckus in Dewas after India's ICC Champions Trophy victory on the night of March 9.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 11, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/PqCIvX4p0y
The Indian cricket team’s historic win against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai sent waves of euphoria across the nation. Fans spilled onto the streets, bursting crackers and chanting victory slogans late into the night. However, in Dewas, a city in Madhya Pradesh, the festivities took a contentious turn. According to police reports, a group of youngsters near Sayaji Gate clashed with officers attempting to curb what they described as reckless behavior, including the dangerous bursting of firecrackers. What followed was an unprecedented response from law enforcement that has left the public divided and raised serious questions about police conduct.
The incident unfolded on the night of March 9, when India clinched the Champions Trophy title after a 12-year drought, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final. As celebrations erupted nationwide, Dewas saw its share of exuberance turn chaotic. Videos circulating on social media platforms like X show youths misbehaving with police, chasing a police vehicle, and even pelting stones after officers tried to intervene. Station in-charge Ajay Singh Gurjar, leading the effort to restore order, faced resistance that escalated tensions. By the next evening, March 10, authorities had detained several individuals, charging 10 youths based on video evidence and invoking the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against two for allegedly attacking police personnel.
The police response, however, went far beyond arrests. On March 10, footage emerged showing nine young men with freshly shaved heads being marched from the local police station back to Sayaji Gate, the site of the previous night’s unrest. The act, described by authorities as a reenactment of the youths’ disruptive behavior, was intended to serve as a public deterrent. Dewas Superintendent of Police (SP) Punit Gehlot defended the action, stating, “On March 9, some people created chaos during the ICC Champions Trophy celebrations… There was also some misbehavior with the police.” Yet, this unconventional punishment has drawn sharp criticism for its apparent excessiveness and humiliation.
Local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Gayatri Raje Puar was quick to intervene, meeting with SP Gehlot on March 11 to protest the treatment of the youths. Accompanied by the families of those detained, Puar argued that the punishment was disproportionate. “These young men were celebrating India’s victory just like the rest of the country,” she told reporters. “They are not habitual offenders, and publicly parading them in such a manner is completely unjustified.” She emphasized that while some may have crossed a line, shaving their heads and subjecting them to a public walk of shame was an overreach that undermined their dignity.
The viral videos have amplified the controversy, with clips showing the tonsured youths escorted by police garnering millions of views online. Public sentiment on platforms like X reflects a mix of outrage and debate. Some users condemned the police action as an abuse of power, with one post reading, “Shaving heads and parading people for celebrating a cricket win? This is not law enforcement, it’s humiliation.” Others, however, supported the police, arguing that the youths’ behavior—stone-pelting and attacking officers—warranted a strong response. “If you can’t celebrate responsibly, face the consequences,” another user wrote.
This incident is not an isolated one in Madhya Pradesh. Reports of police taking extreme measures, such as public parading or thrashing suspects, have surfaced from cities like Ujjain, Indore, and Damoh in recent years. In Dewas, a separate but related event on the same night saw a street food vendor allegedly assaulted by police for operating late during the celebrations. CCTV footage showing an officer beating the vendor with a baton has further fueled accusations of indiscriminate force. The vendor, now receiving treatment in Indore, has become a symbol of the broader discontent with police tactics.
The invocation of the NSA against two of the accused has added another layer of complexity. Under this law, individuals can be detained for up to 12 months without bail, a measure typically reserved for serious threats to national security. Critics question whether a clash over firecrackers during a cricket celebration justifies such a severe legal tool. “The NSA is for terrorists and hardcore criminals, not rowdy cricket fans,” said a local activist, speaking anonymously. The police, however, maintain that the violence directed at officers necessitated a firm stance.
As the controversy unfolded, Dewas SP Gehlot announced that an officer accused of excessive force in the vendor assault had been removed from duty and attached to the police line. A separate inquiry into that incident is underway, signaling some acknowledgment of overreach. Yet, the head-shaving and parading remain a focal point of public ire. Puar, who raised the issue in the state assembly, expressed hope for the youths’ release, stating, “I expect action soon. This was excessive, and we need fairness.”
The broader context of the Champions Trophy celebrations adds irony to the situation. While Dewas grappled with unrest, nearby Mhow, another town in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district, saw communal clashes during a victory rally on the same night. There, stone-pelting and arson erupted after firecrackers were burst near a mosque, leading to 13 arrests and heightened police presence. The contrast between nationwide jubilation and localized chaos underscores the challenges of managing public celebrations in a diverse and densely populated country.
Legal experts have weighed in, cautioning that the police actions in Dewas may violate constitutional rights. “Public humiliation as punishment lacks legal grounding and infringes on personal dignity,” said a Bhopal-based lawyer. “This could invite judicial scrutiny if challenged.” Already, families of the affected youths are exploring legal recourse, potentially setting the stage for a courtroom battle.
As of March 12, 2025, the situation in Dewas remains tense but stable, with police maintaining a visible presence to prevent further incidents. The Indian cricket team’s triumph, a moment of national pride, has been overshadowed in this corner of Madhya Pradesh by a debate over law enforcement, punishment, and the right to celebrate. For the young men with shaved heads, the memory of India’s victory will forever be tainted by the humiliation that followed. Meanwhile, the nation watches, waiting to see if this episode will prompt reform or simply fade into the annals of controversial policing.
The fallout from this incident could have lasting repercussions. It raises critical questions about balancing public safety with individual freedoms, especially during moments of collective joy. For now, the shaved heads of Dewas serve as a stark reminder that even victory can come at a cost when exuberance meets authority head-on.
