BJP MLA assaults woman, then gets 'rakhi' tied by her
What's the story
Gujarat BJP MLA Balram Thawani, who was earlier caught on camera brutally assaulting and kicking a woman protestor on Sunday, has reportedly apologized to her. He even posed for photos on Monday with the woman, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, tying a 'rakhi' on his wrist. She was part of a protest demanding the restoration of water supply in Ahmedabad's Naroda. Here's more.
Video clip
Thawani thrashed, kicked, and dragged the woman by her hair
In a viral video clip, Thawani was seen brutally thrashing, kicking, and dragging the woman NCP leader, Neetu Tejwani, by her hair. The BJP MLA could be seen assaulting her while ignoring her screams until a man comes to stop him. However, after apologizing to her today, Thawani said, "She is like my sister, I have apologized to her for what happened yesterday."
Twitter Post
Here's a video of Tejwani being assaulted by Thawani
#WATCH BJP's Naroda MLA Balram Thawani kicks NCP leader (Kuber Nagar Ward) Nitu Tejwani when she went to his office to meet him over a local issue yesterday. Nitu Tejwani has registered a complaint against the MLA. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/dNH2Fgo5Vw
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
What happened
Tejwani registered a complaint against the BJP MLA
After the incident, Tejwani registered a complaint against Thawani. Talking about what exactly happened, she said, "I went to meet Balram to discuss the lack of proper water in the area. Without saying anything, he (Balram) came and started slapping and thrashing me." Tejwani's husband, who came to her rescue, was allegedly thrashed by Thawani's supporters and other women protestors were also beaten up.
Twitter Post
Here's what the woman NCP leader had to say
Nitu Tejwani, NCP leader from Naroda: I had gone to meet BJP MLA Balram Thawani over a local issue but even before hearing me he slapped me, when I fell down he started to kick me. His people also beat up my husband. I ask Modi ji, how are women safe under the BJP rule? #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/PWUjekyyyC
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
Claims
'I got swayed by emotions,' says the BJP MLA
Thawani initially claimed that was acting in "self-defense" as he was allegedly attacked in his office, adding the woman was hurt "by accident". However, on Monday, he said, "I got swayed by emotions, I accept the mistake, it was not intentional. I have been in politics for last 22 years, such a thing has never happened before. I will say sorry to her."
Details
We demand that a case be registered: NCP leader
On Monday, Thawani reached Tejwani's house with sweets where she tied the rakhi. "We have cleared out the misunderstandings...I have promised to help her if she ever needs any help," he said. However, NCP leader Nawab Malik said, "We demand that a case be registered and the legislator arrested. An apology won't do, it is no small matter. The law should take its course."
Twitter Post
Cleared out the misunderstandings between us: Thawani
Balram Thawani, BJP MLA who was caught on camera kicking a woman NCP leader in Naroda: She's like my sister, I have apologized to her for what happened yesterday. We have cleared out the misunderstandings between us. I have promised to help her if she ever needs any help #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/sAF9Jm6ZXB
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019