Lakhimpur Incident Accused Minister Teni Loses His Cool As Voices For His Removal Grow Louder

NEW DELHI/LAKHIMPUR: Looks like the heat is beginning to get to Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishr ‘Teni’ on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case making him lose his cool. Barely hours after the opposition made noises, inside and outside the Parliament, demanding Teni’s removal by the Centre, Teni lost his temper at the journalist trying to get his byte on the issue in Lakhimpur Kheri. The Minister had gone to inaugurate a new facility at a hospital there.

The implications have got even more serious after the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) said in the court that the October 3 incident was a “well planned conspiracy”.

Losing his cool over the questions posed by the journalists, ‘Teni’ retorted: “Don’t ask these stupid questions. Dimag kharaab hai kya be (Are you mad?).”

In a recording that has gone viral on the internet, the minister can be heard asking the reporters to shut their camera, followed by hurling of expletives and threats to media persons present on the site, before walking off. He calls the journalists “chor” (thieves) and can be seen charging towards them at the end of the 1.24 minute video clip.

Earlier in the day, the Congress mounted pressure on the government as former party chief Rahul Gandhi moved adjournment of business to discuss a “definite matter of urgent importance” — the SIT report on Lakhimpur Kheri. He said the government should “immediately sack” Mishr and “ensure justice is delivered to the families of the victims”.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned following uproar on the issue.

Later, speaking to media in the Parliament premises, the Congress leader targeting the BJP said, “We said (in the house) that the report that says the Minister is involved in the incident is already out. We said that at least a discussion should be allowed. But they don’t want any discussion.”

In another tweet later, he made it clear that the Congress will not rest easy till the minister resigns.

ये मंत्री जो खुद को क़ानून से ऊपर समझ रहा है- इसका इस्तीफ़ा लेकर ही दम लेंगे!#Lakhimpur के पीड़ित परिवारों से हमारा वादा था- निभाएँगे। pic.twitter.com/p5KLVU5eWL

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2021

The BJP is facing embarrassment after the UP Police SIT approached a court on Monday seeking  to invoke four more criminal charges, including the attempt to murder and under the Arms Act, against the 13 accused arrested.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also targeted the BJP government at the Centre, saying: “Narendra Modiji, Yogi Adityanathji remove Ajay Mishr Teni.”

Earlier in the day, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi sarcastically took on Rahul Gandhi and said, “The discussion will be held in both In Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. In fact, the matter has come for discussion in the Lok Sabha. Let them give the notice as per the rules. Also, we must keep in mind that the matter is subjudice, as a Supreme Court monitored probe is being carried out.”

In another jibe, he added: “Looks like Rahul Gandhi has improved (in parliamentary skills) as he never used to give notices earlier. It seems he did not think much of the Parliament then.”

The SIT investigating officer Vidhyaram Diwakar filed an application in the CJM’s court on December 13 for addition of new sections in the warrant, replacing sections 279, 338 and 304A of the IPC. In his application, the investigating officer pointed out that the incident was “well-planned and a deliberate act”, and not one of negligence or callousness.

He also requested for the addition of Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code after replacing sections 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way), 338 (Whoever causes grievous hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently) and 304A (Causing death by negligence) of the IPC.