Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pritam Lodhi has threatened to fill the house of Indian police officer Aayush Jhakar with cow dung, continuing his tirade over the action taken against his son Dinesh, for allegedly beating five people with his SUV in Madhya Pradesh’s Karera.
A video of Lodhi’s new remarks went viral on social media on Tuesday. The IPS Association condemned the remarks, and the opposition Congress demanded action against him.
On Thursday, a video surfaced purporting to show Dinesh blaming the five victims of the accident, claiming they did not react to his horns and horns. Lodhi lashed out at Jakhar two days later after he summoned Dinesh and warned him not to appear at Carrera again. “Does Carrera belong to you? [Jhakar] Father?” My son will go there [Karera] And run in the elections. If your father has the courage, try to stop him. “You should know our background,” said Lodhi, who initially appeared to prioritize public sentiment by urging action against his son.
In a later video, Lodhi challenged Jakhar and another police officer and asked them who was directing their orders from Delhi. “My hand was 2.5 kg, but now it is 250 kg. If they do not clarify in 15 days who is directing them from Delhi, is it the Prime Minister?” [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi, [Union home minister] Amit Shah, or someone else – I will take 10,000 people to SDPO [Sub-divisional Police Officer Jhakar]Our house and fill it with cow dung.”
Lodhi said it was a simple accident and the police had exaggerated the matter. He accused the police of taking a tough approach.
IPS Association president Chanchal Shekhar condemned Lodhi’s remarks, pointing out that his viral video contained derogatory, uncivil and caste-based comments against Jakhar. “Lodhi’s behavior is strongly condemnable and is incompatible with the dignity of public service. Such behavior undermines the morale of officers and violates democratic values,” he said.
Shekhar said the association expects public representatives to use restrained and dignified language. “Commune-based statements or any kind of disrespect against an officer are unacceptable and not in line with democratic values.” He called for appropriate action to be taken.
State Congress president Jeetu Patwari attacked the BJP, saying the son of a legislator was trampling on the public who had worshiped the ruling party for the past 20 years. He pointed out that Lodhi was challenging the police officers. Patwari added that the real tactics, character and face of the BJP are being exposed before the public. He demanded action against Lodhi for threatening Jakhar.
“We believe in the rule of law. At the same time, we expect officers and public representatives to maintain morale while speaking and acting in public,” BJP spokesperson Hitesh Bajpai said.
