In a shocking incident reported from Madhya Pradesh, a video showed a senior member of the BJP’s youth wing beating up an elderly tribal man near the scene of a tragic road accident. The incident has triggered outrage in Madhya Pradesh with the Congress accusing the ruling BJP government of being “anti-tribal.”
The incident took place on September 18, when Bhoma Singh (60) lost his life in a motorcycle accident involving a pickup truck. Barnu Singh Marawi (57), the pillion rider, allegedly fell victim of an assault by Jaiganesh Dixit, the Anuppur (rural) mandal president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).
According to a senior police officer, a crowd had gathered at the accident site, and began questioning an injured Marawi, who was in a state of shock and unable to respond. Jaiganesh Singh and another accused, Jitendra Kushwaha, reportedly confronted Marawi, and when he could not provide answers, they allegedly subjected him to physical assault. The accused have since been detained, and appropriate legal measures are being taken.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the incident went viral, leading to the removal of Jaiganesh Dixit from his position.
In a letter addressed to the accused, Ravindra Rathore, the district BJP Yuva Morcha president, said that his actions amounted to gross indiscipline.
“The said act done by you, which has gone viral on social media (and) due to which the image of the party has been tarnished, comes in the category of gross indiscipline. Therefore, you are relieved from responsibility of the party’s board president (Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Anuppur Rural) with immediate effect.”
Also Read: MP Elections 2023: Fresh setback for BJP as another Scindia loyalist quits party ahead of polls
The Congress wasted no time in criticising the state government led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, alleging that this incident was part of a pattern of attacks on tribals within the state.
This episode followed a previous incident in July when a tribal man in Sidhi was subjected to an act of humiliation by an individual associated with the BJP, sparking widespread political controversy. In response to the earlier incident, Chief Minister Chouhan washed the tribal man’s feet.
In a social media post on X, Congress leader Kamal Nath directed his message at Chief Minister Chouhan, stating, “You cannot ignore this gruesome video. Next to the dead body of a tribal man in Anuppur district, a BJP leader is seen beating another tribal man with slipper. When you cannot stop atrocities on tribals, at least resign from post of CM. The hypocrisy of washing feet cannot atone for your cruel rule. You have not only made Madhya Pradesh number one in atrocities against tribals, but have also made state number one in level of cruelty in such incidents.”
“Have you given license to BJP workers to commit atrocities against tribals? A tribal daughter and five family members are buried alive in Nemawar. In Neemuch, a tribal youth was tied to a vehicle and dragged to death. A tribal youth in Sidhi was urinated upon. And every time, the person committing atrocities against tribals is either a leader of BJP or someone associated with it,” he added.