Local BJP Associate ‘Assaults’ Woman at Sidhi Market; Congress Slams BJP Over Women’s Safety
SIDHI — Tensions flared in the Bahri market of Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district on Sunday morning after a woman roadside stall owner was publicly assaulted by a local BJP associate and YouTuber, Santosh Pathak. The incident, which took place around 10 a.m., has sparked a massive political row, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling party of hypocrisy regarding women's safety.
An FIR has been registered against Pathak, but the lack of immediate arrests has led to widespread outrage among local residents and political circles.
A Dispute Over Space Turns Violent
The confrontation reportedly began when the victim tried to set up her roadside stall in the Bahri market area. According to the victim's statement, Pathak—who is well-known in the area as a YouTuber and is associated with the local BJP unit—had forcibly moved her away from the spot earlier.
Despite having filed a prior police complaint regarding the harassment, the woman returned to her spot on Sunday to conduct her business. An argument quickly broke out, which escalated when Pathak allegedly began beating her publicly. Eyewitnesses claimed Pathak shouted that "only his business would run" in that area while physical blows were traded.
A video of the incident, which has since gone viral, shows the brutal nature of the assault, further intensifying the public backlash.
Police Action and Political Fallout
Following the incident, the Bahri police registered an FIR against Santosh Pathak under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to voluntary hurt, criminal intimidation, and obscene acts in public.
"We have received a complaint from the woman and have examined the viral footage. An investigation is underway, and we are looking into the sequence of events that led to the violence," a senior police official stated.
The Congress party was quick to seize on the incident to target the state government. Senior opposition leaders condemned the attack, calling it a glaring example of the "jungle raj" prevailing in the state. "On one hand, the BJP talks about 'Beti Bachao,' and on the other, their own associates are seen thrashing women in broad daylight. This is the height of hypocrisy," a Congress spokesperson remarked.
Silence from the BJP
As of Monday morning, neither Santosh Pathak nor the local BJP leadership has issued an official response to the allegations. Pathak remains at large, and the police are yet to make a formal arrest, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to record further witness statements.
The incident has left the local business community in Sidhi on edge, with many calling for stricter regulations and protection for small-scale roadside vendors who often face harassment from influential local figures.