On 15 March 2024, a video of a Bihar police constable dancing in uniform at the Holi celebrations of RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav went viral. The constable, Shravan Kumar, was swiftly removed from his post after Yadav allegedly ordered him to “dance or be suspended.” This incident, far from being an isolated case, reflects a disturbing trend of Bharatiya politicians wielding power to humiliate and harass both citizens and government officials. From coercing employees to perform absurd acts to outright physical abuse, such episodes expose a feudal mindset that reduces public servants to personal subordinates.
Tej Pratap Yadav’s Holi Order – “Dance or Face Suspension”
During Holi festivities at his Patna residence, Tej Pratap Yadav, former Bihar minister and RJD leader, ordered constable Shravan Kumar to dance in uniform. A video showed Yadav instructing Kumar to perform a “thumka” (a dance move) while on duty. The constable complied, but the act violated police uniform guidelines.
Instead of addressing the coercion, Bihar Police transferred Kumar to the police lines, effectively punishing him for following a politician’s diktat. Yadav later defended his actions, claiming the constable danced “voluntarily,” but the incident sparked outrage over politicians exploiting their authority.
Meanwhile, Janata Dal United (JDU) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar attacked the Lalu family on this issue. He said that Lalu Prasad and his younger son, Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, are afraid of Tej Pratap. Neeraj Kumar alleged that Lalu Yadav is silent on this ‘unpardonable act’ of his son. He quipped, ‘Is Lalu Yadav still living in the same era when he made an IAS officer pick up the spittoon?’
Public express anger on action taken against the police officer
Local people are angry due to this behaviour of Tej Pratap. People say that this attitude is reminiscent of ‘Jungle Raj’. Local people say that this type of attitude is absolutely wrong and the public will take its revenge in the elections. While asking the policeman to dance, Tej Pratap also threatened to suspend him. Seeing Tej Pratap’s behaviour in this video, the elders say that the job of the police administration is to provide security, not to dance. After this incident, people say that if Tej Pratap comes to power, the situation may worsen.
Other Instances of Political High-Handedness by Bharatiya Politicians
The tendency of harassing and demeaning common people has been a bane of Bharatiya politicians especially those who gained political power over few generations.
1. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Security Assaults Toll Employee: In yet another instance of politicians asking for special treatment, a leader of ruling Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress was caught on camera threatening and physically assaulting a toll plaza worker in Andhra Pradesh after she was stopped for not paying toll tax. In the clip, YSRCP leader D Revathi can be seen removing the barricade placed in front of her vehicle at the toll plaza in Guntur district and engaging in a heated argument with the toll plaza staff. She can also be seen holding one of the staff members by the collar before slapping him. You can also hear the siren from the black Scorpio, used by the YSRCP leader.
2. Allegations Against AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj: In May 2023, following a Supreme Court verdict granting the Delhi government greater control over its bureaucracy, several civil servants reported harassment by Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar was allegedly summoned after work hours and pressured regarding administrative procedures. Similarly, Services Secretary Ashish More claimed he was coerced and threatened with career repercussions for not complying with certain directives. These incidents highlight attempts to intimidate officials to achieve political objectives.
3. Harassment of Upright Police Officers:
Instances where honest police personnel faced political retaliation are concerning:
- Suicide of Rajasthan Police Officer Vishnu Dutt Vishnoi: In May 2020, Vishnu Dutt Vishnoi, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Rajgarh Police Station in Rajasthan, was found dead in his official quarters. He left behind suicide notes indicating immense pressure, though he did not explicitly name anyone. Colleagues alleged that he faced undue pressure from local politicians, particularly Congress MLA Krishna Poonia, leading to his tragic decision. This incident sparked political turmoil, with demands for a thorough investigation into the political harassment faced by the officer.
- Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) M.K. Ganapathy’s Suicide: DSP Ganapathy was found dead in a lodge, having reportedly faced harassment from senior officials and political figures. Prior to his death, he had given an interview alleging harassment by higher-ups, including a minister.
- DSP Kallappa Handibag’s Suicide: DSP Handibag committed suicide following allegations of his involvement in a kidnapping case. Colleagues claimed he faced immense pressure and harassment, leading to his untimely death
- DSP Anupama Shenoy’s Resignation: DSP Shenoy resigned, citing harassment by political figures, particularly over her actions against the liquor lobby. Her resignation highlighted the political interference in police operations.
The Bigger Picture: Power, Impunity, and Institutional Failure
- Weaponizing Authority: Politicians treat police, bureaucrats, and frontline workers as personal staff. The Tej Pratap Yadav case exemplifies how even cultural celebrations become opportunities for dominance.
- Punishing the Victim: In most cases, the harassed official (like Shravan Kumar or the Andhra toll employee) faces transfers or suspensions, while politicians escape accountability.
- Culture of Fear: A 2021 research article published in the Indian Public Policy Review found that 80% of bureaucrats fear political interference in their work. Many admit to complying with unethical orders to avoid retaliation.
These instances underscore the pressing need for accountability and adherence to democratic norms among Bharatiya politicians to prevent the abuse of power against citizens and officials.
The “dance or be suspended” incident is a metaphor for Bharat’s skewed power dynamics. While the Model Code of Conduct and civil service protections exist on paper, their enforcement remains lax. Solutions like fixed tenures for officials, fast-track courts for harassment cases, and public audits of political conduct could curb this culture. Until then, the constable’s forced thumka will keep echoing the plight of those trapped under political overlords.
