UP minister insults 'divyang' staff, video goes viral

LUCKNOW: Senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Satyadev Pachauri allegedly insulted a physically challenged employee during a surprise inspection, a video of which has gone viral on social media.

The incident came days after the Yogi Adityanath government renamed the 'Viklang Kalyan Vibhag' (Handicap Welfare Department) as 'Divyang Jan Shasaktikaran Vibhag' (Divyang Empowerment Department).

The Khadi and Village Industries Minister allegedly made a derogatory reference when he came across a 'divyang' contractual employee yesterday during an inspection of the department's office in Dalibagh area here.

"You have kept a differently-abled man on contract. What will he do? This is the reason behind lack of hygiene here," Pachauri can be heard saying in the video clip.

As he drew flak over the incident, the minister said his remarks have been misconstrued.

"Maybe, my words were not correct ... I was trying to say that everyone cannot do all the work," Pachauri said.

Senior cabinet minister Srikant Sharma said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked his ministerial colleagues to ensure use of proper language.

The employee, who was allegedly insulted by the minister, said no one ever spoke to him like this and that he would bring the matter to the notice of the chief minister.

"I will wait for two to three days and then meet the Chief Minister and put my case before him... they are big people. I do not know if any action is being taken," he said.