In a truly disturbing incident that has left the nation appalled, a video has surfaced from Madhya Pradesh capturing the horrifying act of a man urinating on the face of a tribal worker. The video, which was widely shared on social media on Tuesday, July 4, has sparked widespread condemnation and ignited public outrage.
Identification and Allegations Surrounding the Culprit
The man featured in the video has been identified as Pravesh Shukla, believed to be a close aide of BJP MLA Kedar Nath Shukla. Congress leaders Abbas Hafeez and Jignesh Mewani have made claims linking Pravesh Shukla to the BJP MLA.
While the precise date of the incident remains unclear, the video clearly depicts Shukla urinating on the face of the tribal worker while casually smoking a cigarette. It is important to note that The Wire has chosen not to share the video intentionally.
Legal Actions Taken and Eyewitness Testimony
Following the release of the video, news agencies reported that Pravesh Shukla was arrested late on Tuesday night. He has been charged under the National Security Act, the SC/ST Act, and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Eyewitness Deen Dayal Sahu, who recorded the incident on his phone outside his shop near Panchayat Bhawan in Kubri village of Sidhi, shared his account of the events. Sahu claimed that the victim, a member of the Kol community, had visited his shop for a phone recharge and was sitting on the stairs when Shukla approached him and began urinating on him.
Despite the victim’s attempts to stop Shukla, he persisted, displaying an abuse of power. Sahu also alleged that Shukla, as the MLA’s representative, frequently exerted control and instilled fear in the village, with even the local police allegedly favoring his group.
Sharing the Video and Subsequent Developments
Sahu shared the video with Adarsh Shukla, who subsequently posted it on social media on June 26. Adarsh revealed that Pravesh had gone missing soon after the video’s online circulation.
Pravesh’s family filed a missing person complaint, falsely blaming Adarsh for Pravesh’s disappearance. Adarsh further alleged that the police pressured the victim into denying the incident and accusing him of circulating a “fake” video.
Adarsh’s persistence led to the police locating Pravesh in Satna on July 2. On the same day, under alleged pressure from the authorities, the victim wrote an affidavit denying Pravesh’s involvement and claiming the video to be fake.
Father’s Defense and Political Ramifications
In a recent twist, Ramakant Shukla, Pravesh Shukla’s father, defended his son by stating that he is the representative of BJP MLA Kedar Shukla.
Ramakant believes that his son is being targeted by the opposition due to his affiliation with the BJP. He called for a thorough investigation and justice to be served.
Outrage and Condemnation
The video depicting Pravesh urinating on the tribal laborer has ignited widespread outrage, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself condemning the abhorrent incident. Congress leader Kamal Nath expressed his dismay, stating, “A video of the atrocity of (a man) urinating on a tribal youth from Sidhi district of the state has surfaced. There is no place for such a heinous act with the youth of the tribal community in a civilized society.”
Victim’s Plight and Legal Actions
Pale Kol, the tribal laborer who was subjected to this degrading act, is understandably terrified. Allegedly forced to sign an affidavit denying the incident after the video went viral, Pale Kol’s statement claimed the video and its contents to be entirely fake. However, a case has been registered against Pravesh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The Kol Community and Political Influence
The Kol community, known for its strong support of the BJP, holds significant political influence in over two dozen Assembly seats across the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh. With a population of over 11.67 lacks, according to the 2011 Census, this community has become a crucial target for political parties leading up to the state Assembly elections later this year. In recent months, the BJP has organized multiple events aimed at securing the votes of the Kol community.
It is imperative for society to stand united against such acts of abuse and ensure that marginalized communities receive the respect and dignity they deserve. As responsible citizens, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and voice our concerns to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.
In light of this incident, we must ask ourselves: How can we collectively work to eradicate such acts of discrimination and abuse from our society? What steps can be taken to ensure the protection and empowerment of marginalized communities?
