In a shocking turn of events on Saturday morning, JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal found himself embroiled in controversy after being captured on camera slapping a protester in the Zero Mile Square area of the industrial police station in Bhagalpur, Bihar. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of a tragic road accident earlier that day, which claimed the life of an elderly person.
The fatal accident occurred when a cyclist collided with a speeding truck, resulting in severe injuries and the demise of the elderly individual. Distraught family members and their supporters staged a protest on the main route from Zero Mile to Sabour, demanding compensation for the loss of their relative, causing a significant disruption to traffic.
Both Traffic DSP and local police officials were dispatched to the scene to manage the protest. Amidst the attempt to pacify the grieving family, JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal arrived at the spot. Tensions escalated when the family members, seeking compensation, began protesting in front of the legislator.
JDU MLA Gopal Mandal allegedly slaps a family member of a deceased who were demanding compensation
The family members were protesting after the death in a road accident pic.twitter.com/HQZ8qfrMLi
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) December 30, 2023
Visuals and media reports depict the JD(U) leader slapping a relative of the deceased who was actively demanding compensation. When questioned by the media regarding the incident, MLA Gopal Mandal defended himself, asserting that the individual he slapped was a supporter who was hindering him from addressing the crowd.
Mandal stated, “I am not an idiot who would slap a common man during elections. I am preparing to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and am committed to providing Rs 20 lakh in compensation to the victim’s family.”
The MLA argued that the victim was akin to a younger brother and justified the action by claiming he was being physically restrained. He pledged to write to the District Magistrate and the transport department to address the compensation demand for the deceased’s family.
जदयू वालों के सिर पर सत्ता का घमंड सवार!
जनता को कीड़े-मकोड़े समझकर जदयू का विधायक बीच चौराहे पर मार रहा है धप्पड़।
बिहार की जनता इस घमंड को समय आने पर झार देगी। pic.twitter.com/k5slIdorvq
— BJP Bihar (@BJP4Bihar) December 30, 2023
Surprisingly, the victim downplayed the incident, labeling it a familial matter, but refrained from providing further comments. In a video circulating on social media, the victim can be heard registering a protest against the MLA, questioning the appropriateness of a leader resorting to physical force.
Despite the MLA’s attempt to clarify and justify the incident, the protest by agitated locals persisted. The BJP seized the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-Tejaswi-Yadav-led government, alleging that the incident highlighted the arrogance of JD(U) leaders and their disregard for the general public. The party asserted that the people would reject such arrogance in the future. The situation remains tense as the fallout from the incident continues to unfold.
