A video from Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh sparked controversy after a man was seen intervening with another older man, a Muslim, at an event where food was handed down to the public, only after he offered him a religious slogan.
Lavkush Ojha, allegedly a local representative from Bhanvapur block area, reportedly was present when the incident happened during the distribution of prasad. The video was posted online where it shows an elderly man being forced to say a slogan again before being handed food.
The video has sparked mixed reactions online, with many supporters standing in solidarity with the individual. The clip has been viewed extensively online with viewers sharing opposing thoughts about the incident. The interaction has been criticized as the elderly man was treated poorly and it has been suggested that perhaps there was some pressure on him during the encounter. Other people have requested intensive investigation into the event.
Reports indicate several individuals were at the scene, from which a few were allegedly recording the interaction using their mobile phones. The video has since been shared on social media and sparked a discussion and inquiry by the public about what their public relations department ought to be.
There is no word yet concerning the authenticity of the video and sequence of events. The footage will be reviewed and authorities are likely to try and make sense of it and try to determine what was happening.
The video from social media has taken center stage in public discussions of this incident and the need for fact-checking before forming conclusions. As local authorities review the matter, more details are yet to come.