Union Minister Ajay Mishra has again landed in soup after the video of him abusing a journalist, who asked a question on his jailed son, has gone viral. Minister's son Ashish Mishra
is the primary accused in the Lakhimpur Keri case and is jailed since October.
In the video, the minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet could be seen lunging at reporters and calling the media "chor".
This comes amid the Minister of State Ajay Mishra is under immense pressure to resign from the cabinet as the STF report alleged that the killing of protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri
was a well "planned conspiracy" by Ashish and his aides.
Coming back to the viral video, Ajay Mishra can be seen saying, “Befkufi Ke Sawaal Mat Kiya Karo, Dimaag Kharab Hai Kya, Phone Band Kar De. Yehin Media Wale Choron ne Nirdosh Aadmi
ko… sharam nahi aati hai (Don’t ask stupid questions. Are you mad? These media persons, thieves… Do you have no shame?).
The question asked to the Minister after which he lost his cool was- “What would you say about additional charges levelled against your son?”
The Union Minister is also seen snatching a reporter's mic. He says, "Mic band karo be (off the mic)." Further, Mr Mishra can be seen using foul language.
The incident occurred while the minister was inaugurating an oxygen plant.
Notably, on Tuesday, the SIT investigating the October 3 violence in Lakhimpur Kheri has concluded that farmers were crushed "with an intent to kill" by an SUV driven by Ashish
Mishra and was "not death by negligence."
The team also submitted a plea with the Chief Judicial Magistrate to include new sections against the 13 accused, making their crimes punishable as attempted murder.
Murder and conspiracy charges have already been filed against Ashish Mishra and others. "Attempt to murder" and additional charges are being sought by the Special Investigation
Team. The SIT official has requested the court to add Sections 307 - attempt to murder; 326 - Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means; 34 - Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention,
of the Indian Penal Code.
State ruling BJP which earlier remain tight-lipped about Ajay Mishra’s removal is now expected to speak out. As the party gears up for polls, inaction against the union minister can
enrage farmers ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2022.