‘Thumka lagao or get suspended’: RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s order to cop at Holi event triggers controversy
Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav celebrated Holi with party workers at his official residence in Patna on Saturday, media reports said.
However, a video from the event, which has since gone viral, has triggered controversy as it shows Yadav instructing a police officer to dance during the festivities, reported NDTV.
In the widely circulated clip, Yadav is seen on a stage addressing a uniformed policeman.
He can be heard saying, "Ae sipahi, ae Deepak, ek gana bajayenge uspe tumko thumka lagana hai. Bura mat mano Holi hai. Aaj nahi thumka lagaoge toh suspend kar diye jaoge (Hey, Deepak, I will play a song, and you will have to dance. Don't mind, it's Holi. If you don't dance today, you will be suspended)."
Tej Pratap Yadav is an absolute disaster.
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) March 15, 2025
Will single handedly become the reason for RJD and Tejasvi's downfall.
Asking a cop in his security to dance in uniform and threatening him of suspension if he refuses.
Shameful! pic.twitter.com/rALHDThWeQ
The video has drawn strong criticism from RJD’s political opponents, with leaders from the BJP and JD(U) condemning Yadav’s actions.
Both parties compared the incident to the rule of his father, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
"Like father, like son. First, the father—when he was chief minister—made the law dance to his tunes and turned Bihar into 'Jungle Raj.' Now, the son, despite being out of power, is attempting to make law enforcers dance to his tunes using threats and pressure.
“He warns a police officer of suspension if he refuses to dance. This reflects RJD’s belief in Jungle Raj. If they return to power, they will violate the law and make its protectors dance. This is just a glimpse. It is crucial to keep them away from power," said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, reported NDTV.
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad also criticised the act, stating, "'Jungle Raj' has ended, but the Yuvraj (Prince) of Lalu Yadav is threatening a policeman with consequences for not following his order to dance. Bihar has changed now."
“Whether it is Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, or any other family member of Lalu Yadav, they must realise that such acts have no place in today’s Bihar."
The controversy emerges as Bihar gears up for the Assembly elections later this year.
The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the official polling dates for the 243-seat legislature.
