A celebration marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, turned chaotic on Friday after BJP MP Ganesh Singh publicly slapped a municipal crane operator. The incident occurred at Semriya Chowk during a ‘Run for Unity’ event organized to commemorate the occasion.

Videos circulating on social media showed Ganesh Singh being lifted in a hydraulic crane to garland the Ambedkar statue. However, while descending, the crane reportedly jolted and stopped mid-air for several seconds, leaving the MP visibly unsettled. Eyewitnesses told NDTV that the machine’s sudden jerk was caused by a minor technical fault and that the operator, identified as Ganesh Kushwaha, was merely performing his duties.

After the crane finally descended, the MP reportedly called the operator over and slapped him in public. Municipal workers present at the event said the operator had done nothing wrong and that the situation was purely mechanical in nature. One municipal employee remarked, “The operator was only doing his job. The sudden jerk was mechanical. But the MP lost his temper.”

Ganesh Singh’s team defended the incident through a social media post, with representative Neeta Sonia stating, “The MP merely slapped him. His arms and legs should have been broken. If he had fallen from that height, who would have taken responsibility?” The statement attempted to justify the MP’s action as a reaction to potential danger, although it also drew criticism for condoning physical assault.

The incident quickly drew criticism from opposition parties, with the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit condemning the MP’s actions. In a post on X, the party said, “Ganesh Singh, the arrogant and controversy-prone MP from Satna, slapped a municipal crane operator. The poor man’s only fault was that he went to rescue the MP, who was trapped in the crane. The arrogance and feudal mindset of BJP’s public representatives are clearly getting the better of them.”

Congress MLA and district president Siddharth Kushwaha further commented to PTI, highlighting both safety and behavioral concerns. He stated, “The crane was not meant to be used in that manner at the event. It was wrong to climb onto it, and the machine’s condition should have been checked beforehand. Ganesh Singh slapping one of the workers out of fear was also wrong.”

The incident has sparked wider debate about the conduct of public representatives during ceremonial events, workplace safety, and accountability. Many have raised concerns over the safety protocols for using heavy machinery in public events, while others criticized the MP for resorting to physical assault rather than remaining calm and addressing the issue appropriately.

The Madhya Pradesh BJP has not officially commented on the incident, and there is no information yet on whether any disciplinary action will be taken against Ganesh Singh. Meanwhile, social media users and political commentators have widely shared the video, prompting discussions about the responsibilities of elected representatives in public spaces and the treatment of municipal employees who are performing their duties.

This incident adds to a series of controversies involving Ganesh Singh, who has previously been criticized for provocative statements and aggressive behavior in public events. Opposition parties are likely to use the episode to question the governance style and conduct of BJP leaders in the state, especially ahead of upcoming political events and elections.

In conclusion, what was meant to be a routine ceremonial tribute at a public event turned into a widely publicized controversy, highlighting tensions between elected officials and municipal staff, and raising questions about decorum, safety, and the appropriate exercise of authority in public functions.