After the video of Shajapur collector asking a protesting trucker his “aukaat” (social standing) went viral, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said that the bureaucrat has been removed from his post. Narsinghpur’s collector Riju Bafna has been made the new collector of Shajapur.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Kanyal was removed from the post of Shajapur collector on Yadav’s directives. The state government on Wednesday issued an order shifting Kanyal to the post of state deputy secretary, reported PTI.
In a video posted on X on Wednesday, the CM said, “Everyone’s work and feelings should be respected. The Shajapur Collector has been removed from the post following the incident.”
“This government is the government of the poor. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are working for the welfare of the poor. Officers should take care of their language and behaviour,” he added.
सभी के काम और भाव का सम्मान होना चाहिए शाजापुर में ट्रक ड्राइवर्स से जुड़ी घटना में कलेक्टर को पद से हटाया गया है।यह सरकार गरीबों की सरकार है। प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में हम गरीब कल्याण के लिए कार्य कर रहे हैं। अधिकारियों को अपनी भाषा और व्यवहार का ध्यान… pic.twitter.com/2BsTFM9KI0
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) January 3, 2024
During the meeting with the representatives of a drivers’ union to discuss the grievances of truckdrivers over a provision in the new criminal laws, Kanyal lost his cool while asking the drivers and others not to take law into their hands, when a representative of the drivers asked him to talk politely.
In the purported video, an irate Kanyal can be seen asking the person, “Kya bol rahe ho zara dhyaan rakho. Kya karoge tum, kya aukaat hain tumhari?” (Watch what you are saying. What will you do? What is your social standing?).
To this, the driver can be heard saying, “Yahi toh ladai hain ki hamari koi aukaat nahi.” (This is the fight that we have no social standing.)
Kanyal then asked “not to take law into their hands”, and also added, “This is not how you fight”.
The video was also shared by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who took a dig at the official over his way of talking. Congress’ Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha also posted the video on X, tagging Madhya Pradesh’s CM.
सीएम साहिब क्या आप के कलेक्टर की यह भाषा होनी चाहिए। कलेक्टर एक शासकीय नौकर है। आप ने तो उसे उसे सरकार से भी बड़ा बना दिया। जनता ऐसा शासन का घोर विरोध करेगी। @DrMohanYadav51 @CMMadhyaPradesh #truckdrivers pic.twitter.com/lx4hCaLt1H
— Vivek Tankha (@VTankha) January 2, 2024
A policeman later whisked away the man from the spot, reported PTI.
Later, Kanyal posted a video expressing regret over his choice of words. He said that a meeting of at least 250 truck and bus drivers was convened on Tuesday, a day after they staged protests and allegedly created a ruckus.
The Collector alleged that during the meeting one of them was trying to incite others and also threatened to intensify the protest, following which he blasted. “I express regret if anyone is hurt by my words,” he said.
However, he added, that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
आज ड्रायवर्स और उनके संगठनों के साथ संपन्न हुई बैठक में एक व्यक्ति द्वारा बैठक में बार-बार 03 जनवरी के बाद किसी भी लेवल पर जाने की बात कहने पर कलेक्टर श्री किशोर कन्याल ने उसे शांत करने के लिए थोड़े तल्ख लहजे में कही गई बात किसी को ठेस पहुंचाने के उद्देश्य से नहीं कही गई थी। pic.twitter.com/jgMvs5Gwwy
— Collector Shajapur (@collectorshajap) January 2, 2024
Protest over hit-and-run provision under BNS
The truck drivers’ association began their nationwide protest on Monday against the new penal provisions regarding hit-and-run cases in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Protestors had blockaded roads and highways across the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Under the new law, drivers involved in road accidents and who run away can face imprisonment up to 10 years or a fine of Rs seven lakh.
The truck drivers’ association called off their strike after the Ministry of Home Affairs held a discussion with the representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress on January 2. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday said that the Centre clarified that the new law and its provisions over the hit-and-run cases, has not come into force and decision will only be taken after consultation with the All India Motor Transport Congress, reported The Indian Express.
