Dubai: A lawmaker from India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was caught on camera threatening a woman who is also a top civil officer. Udaybhan Chaudhary, 70, the Fatehpur Sikri lawmaker, had gone to meet Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Garima Singh in Agra, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh along with a group of protesting farmers.
News agency Asian News International (@ANINewsUP) tweeted the video: “Agra: BJP MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) Udaybhan Chaudhary threatens SDM Garima Singh, says ‘Don’t you know I am an MLA? Don’t you realise my power, the power of democracy?’ He had gone to meet the SDM over farmer issues. (17.12.18)”
The lawmaker alleged that the official had refused to listen to the farmers, who reportedly wanted her to talk to banks over loan repayments.
The IAS (Indian Administration Service) Association took to Twitter to support Singh after the video went viral. @IASassociation tweeted: “Threatening young IAS officers working in the field is not acceptable. Proud of Garima Singh, IAS for standing firm and not giving in to intimidation.”
Twitter users were also quick to react to the video that showed the MLA shouting at the woman.
Twitter user @vkjohn316 posted: “It’s highly deplorable how even a 70-year-old legislator behaves with a lady officer. That ruffian should be immediately suspended and an inquiry ordered against him if his party has any answerability to the public at large.”
Tweep @anjuls pointed out that the “power of democracy” the MLA referred to, could take this power away from him: “Sure people will show the power of democracy in next election to this ‘powerful’ Chaudhary.”
@MayureshRShinde suggested: “Don’t vote for him next time, keep it simple.”
Twitter user @dotnetforall gave the MLA some benefit of doubt and said it was not smart to jump to conclusions: “Most of the time government officials are deeply corrupt and lethargic. And this shows in their attitude. Dealing with government officials is like a nightmare. Not sure what happened in this scenario.”
@ANI later tweeted an update with Chaudhary's explanation: "BJP Agra MLA Udaybhan Chaudhary: Farmers had gone to the SDM with their problems but the SDM was talking to them very rudely. I admit that I scolded her but it was just like I would scold a daughter."
However, most people said that nothing could justify the attitude and the way the lawmaker was shouting at another person, especially a woman.
Like many others, tweep @jedi4evr felt, this attitude could cost BJP, their position in the 2019 Indian elections: “@BJP4India has become an arrogant, selfish and aloof party and this will cost them LS (Lok Sabha) elections. @AmitShah should reign in his flock or else @narendramodi will be looking for early retirement courtesy of Yogi Adityanath and Co.”
@ANI later tweeted an update with Chaudhary's explanation: "BJP Agra MLA Udaybhan Chaudhary: Farmers had gone to the SDM with their problems but the SDM was talking to them very rudely. I admit that I scolded her but it was just like I would scold a daughter."
BJP Agra MLA Udaybhan Chaudhary: Farmers had gone to the SDM with their problems but the SDM was talking to them very rudely. I admit that I scolded her but it was just like I would scold a daughter.
