Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam has lashed out at the IAS officer, whose video of roughing up wedding guests in Tripura triggered a full-blown controversy on social media this week. The video of Agartala District Magistrate Shailesh Yadav conducting an impromptu raid on a wedding function had gone viral on social media, evoking angry reactions from Twitterati.
Reacting to the government officer’s action, Nigam said, “But DM sahab. Which country are we living in? How can we talk to our fellow countrymen like this?”
Sonu Nigam, who had once triggered huge backlash with his disparaging comments on Azaan, Muslims’ call for prayers, went on to add with dramatic expressions, “So much arrogance about your power? Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi doesn’t have any arrogance. Even he speaks to people with decency.”
Nigam said that the district magistrate was just a DM and not the king of the country. “How dare you speak to people like that?” Nigam asked.
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In the viral video, Yadav was seen ruthlessly enforcing the SOPs related to the pandemic as he ordered police to arrests those violating the rules. He was also seen threatening to have guests arrested while assaulting a priest. Guests busy enjoying their meals were forcibly ordered to leave the venue. Among those demanding a strict action against Yadav was industrialist Naveen Jindal, who had tweeted, “This is horrible behaviour from an IAS officer. While we have to ensure Covid protocols are in place this brazenness is totally unacceptable & unbecoming of an officer. Slapping, abusing and humiliating people…Action must be taken against such an officer. @BjpBiplab ji.”
Meanwhile, Yadav has apologised for his behaviour saying that he was only acting to ensure the safety of the population at large amidst the raging pandemic. “All I did was done during the night curfew period last night and was for the benefit and wellbeing of the people. My intention was not to hurt or humiliate the sentiments of anyone,” the civil servant was quoted as sayingg.