A BJP councillor got booked after slapping a party worker on Sunday. The incident happened at a Prayagraj event when worker Rohit Tiwari questioned Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya about UGC regulations. An MLA said, "The Brahmin community is hurt by the humiliation of the young man," demanding action.
A BJP councillor slapped a party worker who questioned Keshav Prasad Maurya about UGC equity regulations. The FIR and an MLA's demand for action have intensified criticism within the party.
A BJP councillor slapped a party worker who questioned Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya about the University Grants Commission's equity regulations at a party event, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
The worker later filed a police complaint, leading to an FIR against the councillor. A BJP MLA has also demanded action over the incident.
The incident took place at the BJP's 'Prabuddh Sammelan' at Parade Ground in Prayagraj on Sunday. Party worker Rohit Tiwari, also known as Kaka, and another man questioned Maurya about the stayed UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which sought to address caste-based discrimination on campuses. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
As Maurya addressed the gathering, the two men shouted, "When will you speak about us? Please speak about UGC."
Maurya responded, "Abhi aap chup raho, chalo. Main sab kuch bolunga. Main koi cheez bolne se kabhi nahi rukta hun (Keep quiet. Go. I will speak on everything. I do not shy away from speaking)."
Police personnel then escorted the two men out of the venue. BJP councillor Vinay Mishra ran towards them, caught hold of Tiwari and slapped him.
On Monday evening, Tiwari filed a complaint against Mishra at Daraganj police station in Prayagraj, following which an FIR was registered.
Speaking to PTI on Tuesday, BJP MLA from Allahabad North Harshvardhan Bajpai said Maurya should have acted against the councillor for attacking Tiwari. He described Tiwari as a committed BJP worker from the Gangapar area of Koraon.
Bajpai said the event was essentially a Brahmin conference and questioned why it had been called a 'Prabuddh Sammelan'. He said Tiwari had raised the UGC reservation issue because it was an emotionally sensitive matter and people were concerned about its potential impact on future generations.
"The Brahmin community is hurt by the humiliation of the young man, who is a committed party worker from Gangapar and has never been involved in anti-BJP activities," Bajpai said.
He added that Tiwari had not raised the question with the intention of putting the BJP in an awkward position.
The UGC Regulations, 2026, were officially notified on January 13. The Supreme Court placed an interim stay on the regulations on January 29 following criticism and protests over their potential misuse.
The incident has resulted in an FIR against the BJP councillor, while the party MLA has sought action over the assault on the worker who raised the UGC issue.