Minister Babul Supriyo tells man “I can break one of your legs” at event for disabled

“What happened to you? Any problem? I can break one of your legs,” said Union Minister Babul Supriyo to a man during a program for differently abled people at Nazrul Manch in Asansol, West Bengal, reported Asian News International on Tuesday, September 18.

The Times Now news channel also reported on the incident. “In Asansol, the Union Minister was heard openly threatening a man, saying that he will break his leg,” said the Times Now anchor. “What happened to you? Any problem? I can break one of your legs and then I will give you some practise. Come stand here. Next time if he moves from there then remove one of your legs and I will give these people sticks to beat you up. Have you understood? Now clap for this man,” Times Now reported Supriyo as saying.

The channel reported that Supriyo was at a government event and was distributing wheelchairs to specially abled people in Asansol. A Times Now reporter said, “A man was walking from one side of the stage to the other side. He might have distracted the Union Minister and that’s when the Union Minister really made that threat which was caught on camera... It was very unfortunate because it was a specially abled event and he was literally seen mocking them by saying I will break your leg and then give you wheelchair and then he even goes on to tell his security that if this man is seen standing again, break his leg and give him a pair of crutches. Extremely, extremely unfortunate statement coming from Union Minister Babul Supriyo at a government event where he had gone as the chief guest to distribute wheelchairs to the specially-abled.”

The minister himself sought to dismiss the controversy over his outburst, responding to Times Now in a tweet saying, “Arrey My Dear Friend’s from @TimesNow , This was meant to be an absolute joke Come on, there must be better ‘Breaking News’ material for today.” It’s doubtful, though, whether anyone besides Supriyo will laugh along at his choice of ‘joke’, suggesting he would add someone to the ranks of the differently abled, in the presence of the differently abled.

This article was updated at 12.09 pm on 19/9/2018 to expand the headline