A controversy erupted after a video purportedly showing BJP president Manoj Tiwari scolding a woman teacher for asking him to sing a couplet at a function went viral, prompting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to demand action against him by a women’s panel.
In the video, posted by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the singer-turned-politician is seen taking offence after being requested to sing at the function to launch a CCTV project. Mr. Tiwari is also seen giving a dressing down to the teacher. He later asked the teacher to get off the stage and directed the organisers to take action against her.
After uploading the video, Mr. Sisodia said: “This is how the Delhi BJP president treats a teacher.”
Attacking Mr. Tiwari, AAP’s Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey said: “The teacher had respectfully invited the BJP MP to sing a couplet, but she was scolded and asked to get off the stage. We will request the National Commission for Women and the Delhi Commission for Women to take action against him so that elected representatives do not insult women,” Mr. Pandey said.
In his defence, Mr. Tiwari said he was asked to sing even before he could start speaking at the function. “I was called to sing even before I had spoken. Is this how you respect someone? I ensured that no action was taken against her... AAP is actually anti-teacher,” Mr. Tiwari said.
