A recently surfaced video depicting a heated interaction between Shajapur district collector, Kishor Kanyal, and a truck driver during a meeting has stirred outrage, bringing attention to the collector’s use of strong language. In the video, Kanyal asks the driver, “Kya karoge tum? Kya aukat hoga tumhari? (What will you do? What’s even your status/worth?)” The driver responded by emphasizing their ongoing struggle for improved status.
The incident drew swift criticism, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemning the collector’s tone. The collector’s office issued a clarification, explaining that the driver had been repeatedly threatening to escalate the protest post-January 3, leading to the use of forceful language to restrain him without any intention to cause harm.
In response to the controversy, the collector expressed regret if his words caused any distress, clarifying that the meeting aimed to address issues democratically. The meeting, attended by approximately 250 truck and bus owners, took place on Tuesday following disruptions on Monday.
The truckers decided to call off their two-day protest on Tuesday night after Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla assured that a decision regarding the new penal provisions related to hit-and-run cases would be made only after consulting with the All India Motor Transport Congress. The strike had raised concerns about potential fuel shortages and disruptions in the supply of essential goods.
