Madhya Pradesh BJP functionary booked after video allegedly shows him urinating on tribal youth

A BJP functionary from Madhya Pradesh has been booked under the stringent National Security Act after footage of him allegedly urinating on another man, a tribal youth, surfaced online

A footage, in which a man said to be a functionary of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh can be seen urinating on another man, a tribal youth, surfaced online on the evening of July 4. 

While the incident reportedly took place three months ago, the accused, Pravesh Shukla, was booked on Tuesday under the stringent National Security Act and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 after the video went viral and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took cognisance of it. 

The incident is said to be the fallout of a dispute over unpaid dues that Mr. Shukla owed to the victim (name withheld). It is further alleged that he threatened the victim, who could therefore not report the matter to the police. 

Earlier, Congress leaders shared the footage and a picture of Mr. Shukla with BJP leaders. 

“Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken cognizance of the purported viral video showing a man urinating on another man. The CM has directed the relevant authorities to take strict action in the matter. The CM has also stated that the culprit should not be spared and NSA will also be imposed on him. The video is said to be from Sidhi district of the State,” Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez tweeted. 

Meanwhile, the BJP has distanced itself from Mr. Shukla. 

“The person named Pravesh Shukla has nothing to do with the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Bharatiya Janata Party will always oppose every heinous act that will be done against the tribal society. BJP MP demands strictest action against this person,” BJP media in-charge Ashish Agarwal tweeted.