High Tension as Rajasthan By-Poll Candidate Naresh Meena Arrested for Assaulting Election Official
Violence and Protests Ignite After Candidate’s Confrontation with Poll Official Sparks Outrage in Tonk District
In a shocking turn of events during the Rajasthan by-poll, independent candidate Naresh Meena was arrested on Thursday after a viral video showed him slapping a government official at a polling station. The incident has sparked public outrage and put Tonk district under heightened tension as police moved in to detain the candidate amid resistance from his supporters.
The altercation occurred at a polling station in the Deoli-Uniara Assembly constituency, where Naresh Meena confronted Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary. Video footage, which quickly went viral on social media, captured Meena entering the station, confronting Chaudhary, and slapping him twice. Meena later alleged that Chaudhary was facilitating voter tampering in favor of the ruling BJP candidate, accusing the administration of bias. “Yes, I slapped him because he was doing something wrong,” Meena stated in defense of his actions, claiming that the official was compromising the electoral process.
Tensions Escalate as Police and Supporters Clash
Police reports indicate that tensions were already high due to an election boycott in the region, which SDM Chaudhary and other officials were attempting to manage. Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikas Sangwan said that the altercation further heightened an already volatile situation. Meena’s defiance of the police, combined with the fervor of his supporters, led to a large-scale protest.
When authorities attempted to arrest Meena, he publicly refused to cooperate, reportedly saying, “I will not surrender.” His followers responded by staging protests along the Samravata village highway, resulting in violent clashes. Protesters set police vehicles and over two dozen motorcycles ablaze, threw stones, and engaged in acts of vandalism. Inspector-General Om Prakash confirmed the arrest of at least 60 individuals involved in the unrest, with cases filed for obstructing law enforcement, vandalism, and damaging public property.
Naresh Meena’s Defiant Social Media Message
Despite going into hiding, Meena continued to defy the police and political opposition through social media, where he posted a message saying, “I am fine… I was never afraid and never will be.” He also accused Tonk MP Harish Chandra Meena of orchestrating the events to damage his candidacy. According to Naresh Meena, the MP, whom he blames for his canceled Congress party ticket, may even arrange for an “encounter” – a term often used to describe extrajudicial police actions in India.
Political Backlash and Public Outcry Over “Slap-Gate”
The altercation, quickly dubbed “slap-gate” by the media, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and citizens alike. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot strongly criticized the incident, pointing to a breakdown in law and order within the state. “This was not a minor incident,” Gehlot remarked. “When people lack fear of the law, they take matters into their own hands. This is the condition of the state today.”
