Sidhi: A disturbing video allegedly showing BJP leader Santosh Pathak brutally beating a woman with a stick in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district surfaced on social media on Sunday, sparking widespread outrage. The incident reportedly took place in the Sihawal Assembly constituency.

The reason behind the alleged assault is not yet known, and authorities have not issued an official statement so far. The video reportedly shows a man striking a woman with a cane, causing her to fall, yet he continues to hit her mercilessly. Mathrubhumi English has not independently verified the authenticity of the footage.

 

The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a stall run by the woman, which Pathak had previously removed, Republic reported. The authorities have filed a case under sections 296, 115, and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and initiated an investigation.

Reacting strongly to the viral video, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Jitu Patwari launched a scathing attack on the BJP.

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By pointing out the BJP government’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiative, Jitu Patwari wrote in X, "Prime Minister @narendramodi had said 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', but looks like he forgot daughters also need protection from BJP leaders themselves."

He added, "Today in Sidhi, a woman was brutally beaten with sticks by a BJP leader. Sadly, such attacks by BJP leaders on women are happening more and more across the state. Drunk on power, these goons seem determined to oppress the sisters of our state."

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Patwari further warned, "Now it’s up to these women to send a message by throwing these BJP leaders out of power. @DrMohanYadav51ji, you are both the Chief Minister and Home Minister, and it’s your job to keep every woman safe—a duty you’ve repeatedly failed at. I’m asking you to immediately register an FIR against this party leader and make sure proper action is taken."