NEW DELHI: A Bihar police constable who was seen following RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s instructions to dance during Holi celebrations has been removed from duty, the Patna SSP’s office confirmed on Sunday.
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Constable Deepak Kumar, who served as Yadav’s bodyguard, has been replaced with another officer.
The incident, which took place at Yadav’s official residence in Patna on Saturday, sparked widespread criticism after a video went viral.
In the clip, Yadav can be heard telling the policeman, “Ae sipahi, Deepak, ek gaana bajayenge uspe tumko thumka lagana hai. Bura mat mano, Holi hai. Aaj nahi thumka lagaoge toh suspend kar diye jaoge” (A song will be played, and you have to dance. Don’t mind, it’s Holi. If you don’t dance today, you will be suspended). He then started singing a Holi song while Kumar hesitantly complied.
The video triggered a sharp political reaction, with opposition leaders calling it an example of RJD’s “Jungle Raj” mentality. Bihar deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said, “RJD’s culture is to flout the law and insult constitutional posts. Their ideology will never change.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Like father, like son. When Lalu Yadav was CM, he made the law dance to his tune. Now, Tej Pratap, despite being out of power, is doing the same. Bihar has changed, but RJD’s mindset remains the same.”
BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also hit out at Yadav, saying, “He has no authority to suspend anyone. This is Nitish Kumar’s government, not Jungle Raj.” Party leader Ajay Alok added, “At least he didn’t tear the policeman’s uniform.”
JD(U) leaders also took a swipe at Yadav, with national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stating, “Jungle Raj has ended, but Lalu Yadav’s family still behaves like it’s alive. Such acts have no place in today’s Bihar.”
Even Congress, an RJD ally, distanced itself from the remarks. Party leader Rashid Alvi said, “I condemn what he said. He doesn’t have the power to suspend anyone. It is unfortunate.”
Despite the criticism, Yadav remained defiant. During the Holi event, he reaffirmed his party’s confidence in his brother, Tejashwi Yadav, stating, “It has been decided—Tejashwi ji is going to be the CM this time.” Assembly elections in Bihar are due in October.