UP: BJP MP touches woman MLA inappropriately at public event
What's the story
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s MP from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Satish Kumar Gautam, sparked controversy after a video allegedly showing him touching female party MLA Mukta Raja inappropriately went viral on social media. He was also reportedly seen "flirting" with the MLA, forcing her to change her seat during a public sfunction in Aligarh on Monday. Following this, the opposition raised serious questions about women's safety in the state.
Details
Prominent figures present at the event
The video clip reportedly shows Gautam giggling while holding Raja's hand. He then places his hands on the MLA's shoulder, which makes the lawmaker uncomfortable, and she instantly stops him. According to the Free Press Journal, the incident took place at Shri Ram Banquet Hall at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's birth anniversary celebration, which was attended by several politicians and ministers of the BJP. The video also shows another BJP MLA, Thakur Jaivir Singh, witnessing Gautam's conduct during the occasion.
Twitter Post
Watch: Viral video shared by UP Congress on X
ये हैं अलीगढ़ के सांसद सतीश गौतम। जो सरेआम कार्यक्रम के बीच में विधायिका मुक्ता राजा से छेड़खानी कर रहे हैं। इनकी इस हरकत से विधायिका जी भी काफ़ी असहज महसूस कर रही हैं।
जिस पार्टी के सांसद ही शोहदा हो, उसके छुटभैय्या नेता कैसे होंगे? बाक़ी कार्यकर्ता तो न जाने कैसे-कैसे होंगे?… pic.twitter.com/cSAlEqdvjI — UP Congress (@INCUttarPradesh) September 29, 2023
What Next?
Political criticism and social media reactions
As the video gained traction online, many criticized the BJP leader for inappropriate behavior. Congress leader Surendra Rajput condemned the incident, saying, "This is the reality of cultured BJP." The Kerala Pradesh Congress Sevadal denounced Gautam's actions and expressed support for the woman MLA who stood up against his conduct. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Y Sathish Reddy also slammed the MP. "If a women MLA isn't safe, what's the situation of commoners in Modi Govt?" he wrote on X.
Insights
Recent harassment case involving BJP leader
This isn't the first time a BJP leader has been embroiled in a scandal. Last month, BJP leader Mohan Jat and five others were booked for allegedly raping a 45-year-old woman and harassing her minor daughter in Rajasthan's Pali district, per The Indian Express. However, Jat, the BJP's District General Secretary in Pali, dismissed the allegations as "false and baseless." The complaint against him said the alleged incident took place on August 24, after which the police registered a case.