A worker at a government guest house in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, has accused Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap of misbehaving and beating him. The BJP leader has rejected these claims. The issue has now turned political, with the Congress asking for Kashyap to be removed from the cabinet and for a police case to be filed.
Khitendra Pandey, 36, who works as a cook on contract at the Circuit House in Jagdalpur, complained to the police on Saturday night and asked for an FIR against the minister. According to Bastar Superintendent of Police Shalabh Sinha, the complaint was filed at Kotwali police station, and the investigation is in progress.
Allegation of Abuse and Assault
Pandey told reporters that the minister verbally abused and attacked him on Saturday evening inside the Circuit House. He said this happened because he was accused of not opening the guest rooms. “I have been working here for 20 years. At about 7:30 in the evening, I was preparing snacks for the minister when his security personnel summoned me. When I reached, the minister started hurling abuses at me,” Pandey claimed. He also said the minister grabbed his collar and hit him, but the minister’s personal assistant stepped in and saved him. Pandey added that all three rooms were already open and that he knew nothing about the matter. He further mentioned he suffers from paralysis and that he and his wife are seeking justice.
Minister Calls Allegations ‘False’
In a statement to the media, Kedar Kashyap rejected the allegations, calling them “untrue and driven by politics.” He accused the Congress of spreading lies because it had no real issues left to raise. On his social media, Kashyap wrote, “Workers are like gods to me, and insulting them is unacceptable. Congress has no issues and only spreads wrong messages. This incident never happened.
Opposition Leaders Demand Action
Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel posted a video of the worker making these claims on X (formerly Twitter) and questioned the BJP, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should answer if all mothers deserve respect. Baghel accused Kashyap of abusing and hitting an employee in Jagdalpur and demanded his resignation and a public apology. “It would be better if he apologises with tears, but even without tears it is fine,” Baghel added sarcastically. In another post, Baghel urged the Prime Minister to immediately remove the “abusive” minister. State Congress chief Deepak Baij demanded that Kedar Kashyap be removed from his post and that a case be filed against him. Baij questioned, “If a minister can act this way with a Class IV worker, what hope is there for ordinary citizens?” He added that he has promised support to Pandey on behalf of the Congress. The party also declared it would hold demonstrations across all district headquarters on Sunday to press for Kashyap’s ouster and planned to burn his effigy during the protests.
