MP minister filmed kicking a minor beggar

SAGAR/BHOPAL: A senior cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government kicked a minor boy who asked her for alms in Panna district on Sunday. Kusum Mehdele, the minister, is in charge of law and legislative affairs, public health engineering, animal husbandry, and a few other departments.

HT has a video clipping that shows Mehdele kicking the boy, who appears to be 10-12 years old. While the boy, with folded hands, is seen at Mehdele’s feet, she first kicks him, then boards a vehicle and leaves the spot. The video, captured on a mobile phone by a bystander, went viral on social media. It also shows Mehdele’s security personnel pushing the boy and asking him to leave.

Mehdele could not be approached for comment despite repeated call attempts.

The Congress party condemned the behaviour and demanded action against Mehdele.

“This shows the attitude of the state government towards the poor and the downtrodden. Drunk on power, ministers of Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government have been crossing their limits for a long time. Mehdele’s act exposed the chief minister’s tall claim that he and his government always stood by poor and farmers,” KK Mishra, state Congress spokesperson, said.

A local policeman, on duty during the minister’s visit, said the boy was a beggar, mostly seen at the bus stand.

Mehdele was in her hometown, Panna, to participate in a programme organised on the occasion of MP foundation day. She also took part in a cleanliness drive organised by the municipality at the bus stand where the incident occurred.