SDM suspended after calling Kailash Vijayvargiya’s ‘Ghanta’ remark on Indore deaths ‘inhuman and authoritarian’

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dewas, Anand Malviya, who described Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s “ghanta” remark—made in response to a reporter’s question on deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore—as “inhuman and a symbol of authoritarian behaviour,” has been suspended with immediate effect.

According to the suspension order issued by the Divisional Commissioner of the Ujjain Division on Monday, Malviya was suspended for issuing an official order without proper verification and for negligence in the discharge of his official duties.

Advertisement

The development comes days after Malviya issued a controversial order directing the deployment of revenue staff to maintain law and order during a Congress protest over the deaths allegedly caused by contaminated water in Indore.

Kailash Vijayvargiya regrets using objectionable word over Indore contaminated water deaths

In the order dated January 3, Malviya asserted that people had died after consuming “contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation” in Indore.

“In Indore, due to the consumption of contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation, 14 people have died and 2,800 persons are undergoing treatment,” the order stated.

It further said that the “objectionable” remarks made by a state government minister on this sensitive issue were a “sign of inhuman and authoritarian behaviour.”

“On this sensitive issue, the objectionable remark made by a state government minister, including the use of the word ‘ghanta,’ is a sign of inhuman and authoritarian behaviour. The (Congress) State President, Jitu Patwari ji, has taken a decision that, in protest against this incident, BJP MPs and MLAs will be gheraoed,” the order read.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has warned of a massive protest in Indore on January 11 if Vijayvargiya does not resign by then.

“If Kailash Vijayvargiya does not resign by January 11, the entire Madhya Pradesh Congress is ready to hold a massive sit-in protest in Indore on January 11,” Congress leader Jitu Patwari said.