The outspoken Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij is caught in another row after he shouted at a senior woman police officer and ordered her to “get out” of a meeting in Fatehabad.
High drama was witnessed during the District Grievances and Public Relations Committee’s meeting held in Fatehabad on Friday when Haryana Health and Sports Minister Vij told Fatehabad superintendent of police (SP) Sangeeta Kalia, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer to “get out” from the venue of the meeting.
However, the female police officer refused to leave the meeting hall, following which the Minister left in a huff. The ugly confrontation took place during the meeting, when the Minister questioned SP Sangeeta Kalia regarding a complaint on the unauthorised sale of liquor in villages. After this, the officer explained the responsibilities of the police in this regard and mentioned that 2500 cases had been registered against those who sold alcohol illegally.
She also told the Minister that police is keeping a strict vigil in such cases, but the accused usually resumed their illegal business after they came out of jail. The Minister was, however, not satisfied with the answer. As the exchange between the duo continued, the Minister became agitated and asked the SP to “get out” of the meeting.
She, however, refused to leave as she felt she was not wrong and also objected to the Minister's manner. The officer’s response angered Vij, who immediately left the meeting. All BJP workers and committee members present in the meeting also followed the Minister out.
As per the information, Deputy Commissioner NK Solanki, who was present at the meeting, followed the Minister till his car and tried to stop Vij from leaving but the Minister was adamant and left. The Deputy Commissioner later continued with the meeting.
While talking to mediapersons, Vij said, “I will take up this matter with Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar. During some meetings in the past also, I had warned the SP to work properly. I will not attend the meeting of the grievances’ committee till SP Kalia is stationed here.” He added, “SP Kalia is showing an irresponsible attitude which is not good. Representatives of an NGO, whose complaint I was listening to, also told me that they are not getting any kind of help from the police. I will take up this issue with the Chief Minister.”
Sources said a meeting of Police officers stationed at Fatehabad was held later in the evening and a complaint regarding Minister Anil Vij has been sent to Chief Minister and DGP Yash Pal Singal.
Meanwhile, Vij is attracting strong criticism from various corners following the video of him shouting at the women IPS officer went viral on social media on Friday. This is not the first time that Vij has stirred a controversy. The five-time legislator from Ambala Cantt, has been hogging headlines since the BJP Government came to the power in Haryana last year.
From his controversial tweets to his prolonged rift with CM Manohar lal Khattar, Vij has apparently become the most controversial Minister in the BJP led Haryana Government.