- Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a political party from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, sought demolition of the accused’s property.
By: Shubham Ghosh
A MAN accused of urinating on a tribal youth in Sidhi district of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been arrested by the police, according to an official statement.
Narottam Mishra, home minister of the state ruled by prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), condemned the act as “heinous, condemnable, and a shame on humanity”.
Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) — a political party from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh — also expressed disgust and sought demolition of the accused’s property.
Madhya Pradesh’s opposition Indian National Congress also demanded action against the accused, using the term “bulldozer action”, something which has become a trend in the politics of BJP-ruled states in India when it comes to taking action against alleged offenders.
In response, Mishra clarified that such action is not taken solely based on political demands but is reserved for cases involving encroachment.
The accused, identified as Pravesh Shukla, has been charged under sections 294 (obscene acts), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The authorities have also initiated action under the National Security Act (NSA). The arrest took place around 2 am on Wednesday (5), following leads provided to the police.
“We were searching for him and cops from different police stations around his village were on alert,” a top police officer told the PTI.
The incident gained attention after a video of the act went viral, leading to public outrage. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed his concern and instructed the administration to take strict action against the culprit, including invoking the NSA.
“A viral video from Sidhi district has come to my notice…I have instructed the administration to arrest the culprit and take the strictest action and also invoke the National Security Act,” he said in a tweet on Tuesday (4).
Regarding the delay in police action following the circulation of the video, Mishra said it was a matter under investigation. The Congress party claimed that the accused had connections to the ruling BJP but this was denied by the party.
Mayawati criticised the incident, calling it shameful and condemnable. She alleged that the government had only taken action after the video went viral, suggesting their involvement. She urged the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh to take strict action against the accused, including the confiscation or demolition of their property.
Madhya Pradesh is set to go to polls later this year.
(With agency inputs)
