Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal has come down heavily on party leader and minister Akhil Giri for misbehaving with a female officer.
Giri, who had earlier made comments on the looks of President Droupadi Murmu, was asked to apologise unconditionally to the lady and put in his papers.
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There was massive outrage after a video of Giri, minister of Fisheries and Correctional Administration (Independent Charge), threatening a female Forest department official and abusing her, was shared on social media by the BJP and went viral.
Manisha Shau, the District Forest Officer, and her team members were removing encroachments from the department’s land near Tajpur sea beach in Purba Medinipur district when the minister arrived at the spot and got embroiled in a heated argument with the female official.
The minister can be heard threatening the officer and asking her to stay away from the matter.
“You are a government employee; bow your head (in front of me) while speaking. See what happens to you within a week,” a livid Giri shouts at Manisha.
“If you interfere in this issue again, I will ensure that you won’t be able to return. These goons will ensure that you won’t be able to go home at night. Mend your ways, or else I will beat you with a stick,” Giri said in Bengali.
Chief minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident before deciding to take the strongest of actions against Giri.
Trinamool state chief Subrata Bakshi spoke to Giri and delivered the message on behalf of the party.
“Yesterday our minister misbehaved with a lady forest officer, and we clarified immediately that we do not support such behaviour… Our Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda has also spoken to the officer. Today, on the instructions of the party, our state president Subrata Bakshi has spoken to Akhil Giri on the telephone and directed him to seek the officer’s forgiveness and send his resignation to the party,” TMC spokesperson Dr Santanu Sen said.
“What is to be noted here is that the Trinamool Congress follows Raj dharma and only the Trinamool Congress can take such action as a party. Anti-women BJP will never be able to take such a step. And in the past, the CPM which has also indulged in anti-women actions will not be able to follow such Raj Dharma,” Dr Sen claimed.
Giri was earlier in the centre of controversy for his objectionable comments on President Droupadi Murmu.
