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Kailash downplays Indore assault, Akash states intent to follow Gandhiji

Kailash Vijavargiya said his son, assaulted municipal officer were novice players

BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya is garlanded after being released from the district jail | PTI

Many people in India remain in shock about the brazen abuse of power by BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya when he thrashed a municipal officer in Indore during an anti-encroachment drive last week. However, his father, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, is apparently not among them.

Kailash Vijayvargiya described Akash and municipal official Dhirendra Singh Bais as kaccha khiladi (novice players) when interacting with news agency ANI on Monday. Kailash Vijayvargiya declared the incident in Indore “was not a big issue but it was made huge." Kailash also insinuated the municipal officials had shown arrogance. “I think officers should not be arrogant. They should talk to people's representatives," he said.

Kailash Vijayvargiya also alleged the municipal authorities had mishandled the anti-encroachment drive in Indore. He noted women staff and police personnel were not present at the site.

Meanwhile, Akash Vijayvargiya, who was released on bail on Sunday, declared he did not regret the assault on the municipal official. Akash is a first-time MLA from the BJP who represents the Indore-3 constituency.

Speaking to mediapersons after being released from jail, Akash Vijayvargiya said the decision to attack the municipal official was taken “thoughtfully and with full responsibility.” Akash claimed his action was provoked by the sight of a woman being pulled by her legs in the presence of police.

Akash Vijayvargiya also claimed he would try to follow Mahatma Gandhi's “path” in the future. “We will try to follow Gandhiji's path in future. I pray to God that I should not be given another opportunity to pick up the bat. I also appeal to all the youths that they should put forward their point of view by walking on Gandhiji's path of non-violence," Akash Vijayvargiya said.

Akash also accused municipal officials of ignoring public representatives on issues concerning common people. "The officials forget that they get their salaries by taxes paid by the public from their hard-earned money. In a bid to please their seniors, the officers become so arrogant that they treat the public like insects, which cannot be tolerated by us," Akash Vijayvargiya declared.