The district collector in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur was seen in a video asking a truckers' representative about his "aukat" (status) in a meeting on Tuesday when truck drivers across the country were on a strike over stricter hit-and-run-related penal provision in Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which is set to replace the Indian Penal Code.
Shajapur District Collector Kishor Kanyal, in a meeting with truck drivers' union, was seen losing his cool on a representative, questioning his "aukat".
The district collector was removed from his post on Wednesday on the instructions of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who said such language would not be tolerated under his government. The Madhya Pradesh government issued an order to shift Kanyal to the post of state deputy secretary.
A viral video shows the collector asking drivers and others not to take the law into their own hands when a representative of divers asked him to talk nicely.
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At this, Kanyal loses cool and asks the representative, "Kya karoge tum? Kya aukat hoga tumhari? [What will you do? What's even your status?]". The driver responded by saying that the reason they are fighting is because they don't have any "aukat".
According to news agency PTI, a policeman then moved away the man from the spot.
Shajapur District Collector Kishor Kanyal later posted a video clarifying his position. He said a meeting of about 250 truck and bus drivers was convened on Tuesday, a day after many of them created a ruckus and staged protests.
"The meeting was held to tell them to raise their issues democratically but one of them was trying to incite others and threatening to intensify the stir, because of which I used these words. I express regret if anyone is hurt by my words," he said.
He, however, added that nobody will be allowed to take the law in their hand.
