PM Modi seeks action against BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya for assault on Indore civic officer
Politics

PM Modi seeks action against BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya for assault on Indore civic officer

Akash Vijayvargiya, the son of senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, was caught on camera assaulting a civic officer last week.

   
File photo of PM Narendra Modi | PTI

File photo of PM Narendra Modi | PTI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday called for action against BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya at a party meeting, lashing out at the Indore legislator, without naming him, for assaulting a civic officer, ThePrint has learnt.

According to sources present at the BJP’s parliamentary party meeting Tuesday, PM Modi also directed punishment for those who celebrated the release of Vijayvargiya from prison Sunday.

Vijayvargiya, the son of BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and a first-time MLA, hit headlines last week when he was caught on camera assaulting a civic officer while he was out with his team to demolish a building at the risk of collapse during monsoon rains.

In the viral video, Vijayvargiya is seen beating up the officer with a cricket bat before his supporters bear down on him as well.

“The PM was very upset over the incident and said action should be taken against such people, regardless of whose son they are,” said a BJP member familiar with the development, adding, “He also said that those in the state unit who celebrated his release or put up posters (in his support) should be suspended immediately.”

“The PM also said it sets a wrong example and is not the culture of the party,” added a second source. “He said action should be immediately taken against all those associated with the incident from the state unit of Madhya Pradesh.”

‘Defence of the poor’

Speaking to the media after the assault, Vijayvargiya had attributed the assault to anger and accused the civic officer of misbehaving with a woman. His father had defended him too, saying he had done what he did in defence of the poor.

After his release from prison Sunday, Vijayvargiya was given a grand welcome by his family, including his father, and supporters, who also garlanded him. He was released on bail Sunday following the order of a special court in Bhopal.


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