Shimla, Dec 6,
A member of the Block Development Committee (BDC) in Himachal Pradesh has been suspended following an incident of inappropriate behavior and moral policing with a person from minority community. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hemraj Bairwa took action under the Panchayati Raj Act, suspending the member, Sushma Devi, and directing her to hand over any Panchayat Samiti property in her possession to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Lambagaon.
The controversy erupted when a video circulated on social media showing Sushma Devi engaging in a heated altercation with a hawker belonging to a minority community. In the video, she allegedly told the hawker to avoid entering the village and demanded that he chant “Jai Shri Ram,” a slogan that has increasingly become controversial in recent years.
Following the incident, the hawker filed an FIR at the Alampur police station, leading to public outrage and protests. The viral video sparked widespread criticism of Sushma Devi’s conduct, with many accusing her of targeting individuals based on their religion.
In response, the DC issued a show cause notice to Sushma Devi, demanding an explanation for her actions. In her reply, she claimed her statements were unintentional and not meant to hurt any religious sentiments. However, her response was deemed unsatisfactory by the authorities.
The DC’s suspension order cited her failure to uphold the responsibilities of her public office. It stated that her actions were inappropriate for someone in a Panchayat position and warranted disciplinary measures.
The incident has drawn attention to the growing concerns about communal harmony and the accountability of public officials in such matters.
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