People elect their leaders so that they can rely on them in times of need. From solving social issues to intervening in the issues of municipal corporations when necessary; people expect politicians to respectfully listen to the woes of the public and offer wise counsel. But an issue of illegal water supply went way too far in Gujarat recently.
Viral video of an Ahmedabad MLA, Balram Thawani, has been doing rounds on the internet lately. The horrifying clip shows Thawani kicking the woman who threatened to stage protest in front of his office. His aide is seen slapping the woman in the video.
#WATCH BJP's Naroda MLA Balram Thawani kicks NCP leader (Kuber Nagar Ward) Nitu Tejwani when she went to his office to meet him over a local issue yesterday. Nitu Tejwani has registered a complaint against the MLA. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/dNH2Fgo5Vw
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
The woman identified as Nitu Tejwani is the NCP leader (Kuber Nagar Ward). She approached the MLA at his office over a local issue and demanded two days time for the residents before their alleged illegal water supply lines were cut.
“I had gone there to seek two days’ time from the MLA before the water supply line was cut. But soon Thawani and his men resorted to force to evict us. We were slapped, some even came with hockey sticks. I felt humiliated,” Nitu told.
Nitu Tejwani, NCP leader from Naroda: I had gone to meet BJP MLA Balram Thawani over a local issue but even before hearing me he slapped me, when I fell down he started to kick me. His people also beat up my husband. I ask Modi ji, how are women safe under the BJP rule? #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/PWUjekyyyC
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
They also reportedly harassed her husband Rajesh Tejwani. The MLA and his aides attacked the woman and her husband after a verbal spat reports TOI.
After the video went viral, the Thawani was quoted saying, “I had not intended to do so, but I was heckled by a group and while defending myself, I kicked her by mistake.”
When bombarded with questions by media, Thawani accepted his mistake and has apologized to the woman.
“I got swayed by emotions. I accept the mistake, it was not intentional. I have been in politics for the last 22 years but such a thing has never happened before. I will say sorry to her.”
Balram Thawani,BJP MLA who was caught on camera kicking a woman NCP leader in Naroda: I got swayed by emotions,I accept the mistake, it was not intentional. I have been in politics for last 22 years,such thing has never happened before. I will say sorry to her. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/FNZWzYt4gY
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
People elect politicians with the hope that they will extend their support and help in resolving issues. On the contrary, a legislator beating them up for taking issues to his office is really shameful.