A video has surfaced that shows a policeman sprinkling ash in the food during a community feast at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. This viral video has been doing rounds, and due to it, the police officer was suspended. The case was related to Station House Officer Brijesh Kumar Tiwari of the Soraon police station.
The video went viral within hours, capturing the moment when the cop was seen emptying ash in a cooking utensil where food was being prepared to be served at a community meal. As he walked off, the video was shared by many, including political leaders, like Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The visual became the focal point of the major public outcry.
Watch video
ये दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है कि जो लोग महाकुंभ में फँसे लोगों के लिए भोजन-पानी की व्यवस्था कर रहे है उनके सद्प्रयासों के ऊपर राजनीतिक विद्वेषवश मिट्टी डाल दी जा रही है।
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 30, 2025
जनता संज्ञान ले! pic.twitter.com/LTwwKbBwO5
After the video went viral, the deputy commissioner of police for Ganga Nagar, Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, confirmed that SHO Tiwari has been suspended. He said that the suspension came after a report was filed by the ACP of Soraon.
In a post on the site X, the official account of the DCP wrote, "Taking cognizance of the matter...the Soraon SHO has been suspended based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway."
According to reports, the community feast, or Bhandara, was arranged near Bhavapur Toll Plaza Road without police permission. Locals noticed that many devotees were walking towards the Sangam area hungry and thirsty, so they decided to arrange meals for them.
However, SHO Tiwari reportedly got angry with the assembly and when the people present there did not get out. It is said that as a revenge measure, he sprinkled some ash into the food, which made matters even worse.
The suspension of SHO Tiwari is just the beginning, the departmental proceedings have been initiated against him for further investigation into his actions.
The viral video has already created a wider debate about accountability and the behavior of public officials in such situations.