Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that he would contemplate a probe against his Cabinet colleague Kusum Mehdele, presently in the midst of a controversy for kicking a beggar boy, after going through the clarification submitted by her.
“She has given her explanation and sent it to me. I will see to it and if necessary the probe will be done,” Singh said.
Mehdele was sweeping a road near a bus stand yesterday afternoon in Panna as part of a cleanliness drive when the teenager pleaded with her to give a rupee. She instead kicked him on his head following which the child was caught by security personnel, it was reported.
Meanwhile, the incident has started taking political colours. On Monday the State Congress knocked the doors of MP Child Rights Commission while the MP Youth Congress burnt the effigy of the Animal Husbandry Minister while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) knocked the doors of Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC).
A delegation of the Congress party led by state spokesperson Deepti Singh lodged a complaint against Mehdele with the MP Child Rights Commission. The written complaint demanding action against the minister was handed over to secretary of the Commission Ramesh Thete by Deepti Singh.
The MP Youth Congress activists led by its president Kunal Chowdhry also on Monday held a demonstration at the Board Office Square of the city and burnt the effigy of the Minister.
Chowdhry, addressing the gathering on the occasion said, “The senior minister of the BJP government of state intoxicated with power kicked a child while he was begging with her for just a rupee. On the one hand the BJP talks of providing fifteen lakh rupees in every national’s account and on the other hand its ministers are kicking innocent children on the public place.”
The Youth Congress demanded resignation of the minister and warned that the agitation would continue till the minister resigns.
AAP state secretary Akshay Hunka made complaint of Mehdele with the MPHRC. Hunka condemning the act of senior minister demanded her resignation.
Meanwhile, Mehdele has completely denied the incident. “Am I madIJ Have I lost my headIJ Why would a minister use legs and hands,” the minister said.
“I attended several functions in Panna, including the state’s foundation day function, an event for journalists and a cleanliness programme. Nothing like this took place,” she claimed.
Notably, the row started when Medhele was on Sunday caught on camera kicking a child beggar on the streets of Panna district. The shocking incident took place on Madhya Pradesh foundation day when the minister was going to a bus stand for cleanliness drive. When the child went to the minister for Re 1, the minister kicked him away. The guards too started beating the child.