The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a show-cause notice to lawmaker Pritam Lodhi for threatening Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ayush Jhakar over action against Lodhi’s son for allegedly hitting five people with his sport utility vehicle in Madhya Pradesh’s Karera.
In a letter to Lodhi, state BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal on Wednesday called the lawmaker’s conduct highly objectionable and a violation of the party discipline. “Therefore, submit your clarification within three days, failing which action will be taken against you.”
Lodhi threatened to fill Jhakar’s house with cow dung as he continued his tirade over the action against his son, Dinesh. A video of Lodhi’s remarks went viral on social media on Tuesday, prompting the IPS Association to condemn the remarks and the opposition Congress to demand action against him.
A video last week purportedly showed Dinesh blaming the five accident victims, claiming they did not react to his honks and hooters. Lodhi lashed out two days later after Jhakar summoned Dinesh and warned him not to appear in Karera again. “Does Karera belong to your [Jhakar] father?” My son will go there [Karera] and contest the elections. If your father has the guts, try to stop him. You should know our background,” said Lodhi, who initially appeared to prioritise public sentiment by urging action against his son.
In another video, Lodhi challenged Jhakar and other police officer, asking who was directing their orders from Delhi. “My hand used to be 2.5 kg. But now it has become 250 kg. If they do not clarify within 15 days, who is directing them from Delhi—is it PM [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi, [Union home minister] Amit Shah, or others— I will take 10,000 people to the SDPO [Sub-divisional Police Officer Jhakar]’s house and fill it with cow dung.”
{{/usCountry}}In another video, Lodhi challenged Jhakar and other police officer, asking who was directing their orders from Delhi. “My hand used to be 2.5 kg. But now it has become 250 kg. If they do not clarify within 15 days, who is directing them from Delhi—is it PM [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi, [Union home minister] Amit Shah, or others— I will take 10,000 people to the SDPO [Sub-divisional Police Officer Jhakar]’s house and fill it with cow dung.”
{{/usCountry}}Lodhi argued it was a minor accident, and the police exaggerated it. He accused police of adopting a heavy-handed approach.