In a rather comedic turn of events, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Kumar Baghel, taking pre-emptive action, arrested his father Nand Kumar Baghel after the latter allegedly made derogatory remarks against Brahmins. The CM’s father had made the distasteful statements in Uttar Pradesh and it was stated that the Yogi Adityanath administration was quickly moving against Nand Kumar. However, fulfilling his son duties, Bhupesh Baghel swooped in, sent the police machinery to Delhi and arrested his father, produced him before a Raipur court where he was sent to 15-day judicial custody.
“He (Nand Kumar Baghel) has been sent in judicial custody. He will be presented before the court again on September 21. As per his instructions, I didn’t file an application for his bail today,” Nand Kumar’s lawyer Gajendra Sonkar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
#UPDATE | Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s father Nand Kumar Baghel has been sent to 15-day judicial custody by a court in Raipur for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Brahmin community, says Nand Kumar's lawyer Gajendra Sonkar https://t.co/CWWR5zWal3
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2021
Brahmins should not be allowed in villages – Nand Kumar Baghel
The complaint was filed by a section of enraged Brahmins at DD Nagar Police Station in Raipur. In the complaint, the community alleged that Nand Kumar Baghel described Brahmins as “outsiders (foreigners) who should either reform or get ready to go to Volga from Ganga”. 86-year old Baghel had also remarked that he urged the rural populace of India to not allow permission to Brahmins to enter their villages. Some media reports also state that Baghel evoked the caste of CM Yogi Adityanath as well.
According to the police, Baghel Sr. was charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language) and 505(1)(b) (with intent to cause, or likely to cause, fear or alarm to public, or to any section of public whereby any person may be induced to commit offence against the state or against public tranquility).
Baghel Sr. having a hearty meal in police chambers
However, soon after, images started circulating on social media platforms where Baghel can be seen sitting in the air-conditioned police chamber and enjoying a hearty lunch. Several netizens stated that the arrest was merely for the optics to cater to the Brahmin vote bank.
https://twitter.com/iSengarAjayy/status/1435212141741494282?
Bhupesh Baghel’s father in jail. Chhattisgarh jails look so comfortable yaar. Kudos Baghel bhai. pic.twitter.com/oBt0Ag57r9
— The Frustrated Indian (@FrustIndian) September 7, 2021
Despite the severity of charges, the treatment meted to Nand Kumar way reeks of partisanship. The treatment has been extended despite CM Bhupesh Baghel claiming that no one is above the law and that his father will have to face the music for hurting the sentiments of Brahmins.
“Our political thoughts and beliefs are very much different. I respect my father as a son, but as a chief minister, none of his mistakes, which are going to disturb public order, can be ignored. No one is above the law in our government, even if he is the chief minister’s father,” Baghel had tweeted before the arrest.
एक पुत्र के रूप में मैं अपने पिता जी का सम्मान करता हूँ लेकिन एक मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में उनकी किसी भी ऐसी गलती को अनदेखा नहीं किया जा सकता जो सार्वजनिक व्यवस्था को बिगाड़ने वाली हो।
हमारी सरकार में कोई भी कानून से ऊपर नहीं है फिर चाहे वो मुख्यमंत्री के पिता ही क्यों न हों।
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) September 5, 2021
While the Chhattisgarh CM might have taken the moral high ground by arresting his father and scored some measly political points – it is nothing but an elaborate PR stunt. When the heat surrounding the case will subside, Baghel Senior will simply be transferred from his plush stay in the Police chambers to an even comfy Bungalow. However, it is indeed amusing that fearing Yogi’s intervention, how quickly CM Baghel jumped into action and arrested his Brahmin-hating father.