PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday disapproved Union minister Giriraj Singh’s controversial speech in which the latter advised the people of his Begusarai parliamentary constituency to “beat up with bamboo sticks” all those government officials who do not listen to people's grievances.
“Ask him (Giriraj) only, is it justified to use words like ‘Pitai’ (beating up)?” Nitish said when reporters sought to know his reaction over the Union minister’s yet another controversial remarks.
The CM was talking to reporters after attending an event of the Prajapati Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya in Sheikhpura locality of the state capital.
Earlier on Saturday, the firebrand BJP MP Giriraj while addressing a function organized by an agriculture institute at Khodawandpur under his Begusarai constituency, asked the people to “beat up with bamboo sticks” all those government officials who do not listen people’s grievances and remain insensitive towards people’s problems.
A video of Giriraj’s speech has now gone viral on different social media platforms.
“In this democracy, the parliamentarian, MLA, DM, SDO, DDC etc are under you (people). You must go to these representatives and officials with “your good words.” Recently, a friend gave me in writing that a CO (circle officer) is committing irregularities. I gave that letter to the CO and asked him to look into it. ---- You yourself should go to the government officers. There is no need to tell all these things to Giriraj. It is your right to lodge your grievances (to the officials). If your rights will not be protected, then Giriraj will be standing by your side; because you have made me a parliamentarian. You have made someone an MLA, you have made someone the district board member. Someone is today Mukhia at your strength. You are not (surviving) at the strength of MP, MLA or a Mukhia. --- if the officials do not listen to your grievances, take bamboo sticks and hit them-- -- I do not want to hear words like ‘someone is not listening,” the union minister said while exhorting the people of his constituency.
In the same viral video, Giriraj was heard telling the people, “Neither we will ask them (officials) to do any illegitimate work, nor will we tolerate their illegitimate actions. Neither I ask any officer to do illegal work, nor I can tolerate ‘nanga nritya’ (naked dance) of any officer.”
The Union minister’s speech invited a sharp reaction from the Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly and RJD senior Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
“Union minister Giriraj Singh has been telling that there is anarchy in the state. Government officers do not listen to the grievances of anyone. ----- --- -- therefore, beat up the officers with bamboo sticks. The Nitish government lodges FIR against the journalists who highlight wrongdoings, but gives prizes to those ministers who provoke violence,” Tejashwi said in a Tweet written in Hindi language on Sunday.