The video, recorded during a protest in the Dadar area of Mumbai, shows a police officer in plain clothes grabbing and dragging a woman protester in an objectionable manner. The footage was shared by Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who questioned the actions of the officer and demanded strict action.
Calling the officer’s conduct “unacceptable”, Varsha Gaikwad questioned why a male police officer was handling a female protester instead of allowing female police personnel to intervene.
“What is this behaviour, Mumbai Police? Why is a male cop manhandling a young female protestor like this? Why isn't he letting his female colleagues handle this? What action will be taken against him? This is unacceptable,” she posted on X while tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Mumbai Police, however, defended the officer and claimed that the video was being presented in an irresponsible manner. Responding to Varsha Gaikwad’s post, Mumbai Police stated that the officer seen in the video was attempting to move a male protester aside and that the woman came between them during the incident.
Despite the police explanation, the video appears to show the officer moving towards a group of protesters and attempting to hold a male protester. During the confrontation, he grabs the woman protester. In the initial part of the footage, the officer appears to be looking in another direction while holding the woman, while in the later part he is seen looking at her but continues to hold and drag her.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Rohit Pawar criticised the Mumbai Police response and questioned why the officer did not step back after realising that he had grabbed a woman instead of a male protester.
“Why did the police officer not back off after realising that he had grabbed a woman instead of a male protester? He didn't remove his hand even after seeing that he was holding a woman in the wrong way,” Rohit Pawar posted on X, rejecting the police explanation.
The incident is the second case in two days in which the conduct of Mumbai Police personnel has come under scrutiny. On Thursday, Mumbai Police suspended a personnel after a video surfaced showing the officer allegedly threatening detained protesters with a fake drug case.
The viral video and the subsequent political reactions have intensified questions over police conduct during public demonstrations, with demands for accountability and action against personnel accused of inappropriate behaviour.
About The Author
Comment List