Constable Deepak Kumar (bodyguard), who was seen complying with Bihar MLA and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s instructions to dance in a public place, has now been removed, said the Office of Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, on Sunday.
The action was taken after a video of Tej Pratap instructing the constable to dance during holi celebration went viral.
Authorities took notice of the viral video in which Tej Pratap Yadav’s bodyguard (constable) is seen dancing at the behest of the RJD MLA.
“And when it came to light that he was dancing in uniform in a public place, bodyguard constable Deepak Kumar was called and an order was given to depute another constable in his place as bodyguard,” the statement read.
Criticism over viral video
A controversial video showing Tej Pratap Yadav asking a policeman to “dance or be suspended” during a Holi celebration at his official residence in Patna on Friday, March 14, went viral on Saturday.
In the video, Yadav could be heard telling a police officer: “Nahi thumka lagaoge to suspend kar diye jaoge“ (If you don’t dance, you will be suspended).
The statement drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, including MP Dinesh Sharma, who slammed the RJD leader for disrespecting the police.
“He (Tej Pratap) will never get the right to suspend anyone. And he belongs to a family that insults the police and the uniform… Inka gharana natak nautanki ke liye theek hai (their family is only fit for drama), they would be considered unfit to run the government,” Sharma told ANI.
Retired senior police officers have also condemned the comments by the RJD leader, calling it an “insult” and demanding action against him.
Ajay Kumar Singh, a retired Delhi Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), condemned the remarks, urging authorities to take action against the RJD leader while stressing that no action should be taken against the officer, as he was merely following orders.
“The uniform has dignity, and we have a code of conduct. It is clearly mentioned in the police manual that police personnel must not act against the code of conduct. Tej Pratap is behaving like an imposter; saying such things to your own security is an insult to the police,” the former Delhi ACP told ANI.
Further criticizing Yadav’s behaviour, Singh added, “We are hurt by this act…The policeman is not at fault–he simply followed orders. Taking action against him would be unfair and unacceptable.”
Tej Pratap Yadav reacts: ‘Don’t mind, it’s Holi’
RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav accused the BJP, RSS, and the media of “politicizing the festival and spreading hatred.”
“Don’t mind, it’s Holi… Even this festival of mutual brotherhood has been given a new color of hatred by the BJP, RSS, and their lapdog media…,” Yadav posted on X in Hindi, along with a cartoon mocking media organizations.
