Overview
- The confrontation occurred during the Jauljibi fair inauguration when Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami said he was denied a chance to speak and then threw a microphone and smashed stage equipment, prompting a scuffle and police intervention.
- Video of the episode circulated widely on social media and news outlets, showing supporters joining the MLA and chairs being hurled as officials moved to restore order.
- Harish Dhami told reporters he was the fair’s chairperson and had wanted to raise two local issues: the recent death of an eight-year-old and poor road connectivity in Kanar.
- BJP leaders condemned the behaviour, called for an FIR and said their district unit would block cultural programmes at the fair if a complaint was not filed by Sunday afternoon, while there were no reports of an FIR or arrests in the coverage available.
- The Jauljibi fair is a 10-day cultural and cross-border trade event in a sensitive India–Nepal/Tibet border region, and the incident highlights how local representation disputes can quickly escalate into wider partisan conflict.