A viral video from a student protest in Dadar in Mumbai has sparked political furor following allegations of a police officer with a face cover who inappropriately touched a woman demonstrator, while trying to arrest protesters. A video was widely posted on social media footage of the police taking a woman and dragging her during the protest, which drew criticism from opposition leaders.
The Mumbai Congress President, Varsha Gaikwad, expressed distaste at the incident, saying the officer’s action is “unacceptable”, and that it was “unfair” that a male officer was dealing with a female protesters as opposed to female police officers.
On X, Gaikwad urged for action against the police officer and called out Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, calling the Maharashtra government to provide clarity about the conduct of the police officer.
But the Mumbai Police turned down the claims and had dismissed the officer involved.
The police cited in response to the controversy, that the viral video was being shared without any context.
Mumbai Police said the officer tried to push the male protester away from the group when the woman allegedly “moved to otherside. The police also said the officer had his attention on the near approach at the time and was not directing his touch on purpose towards the woman.
The senior officials of the Mumbai Police also saw the footage and concluded there was nothing wrong with the police officer, senior officers of the police said. The incident, however, has led to a firestorm of online political criticism, with critics calling for accountability from the officers, but officers saying the viral clip is being shown in a false light.