RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav celebrated Holi with party workers at his official residence in Patna. However, a viral video from the event has stirred controversy, as it shows Yadav instructing a policeman to dance during the festivities.
In the clip, Yadav is seated on a stage and addresses the uniformed officer, 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).
VIDEO | A policeman was seen dancing on the instruction of RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav during Holi celebration at his residence in Patna. #tejpratapyadav #Holi #Patna pic.twitter.com/oCIP0kL03r
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 15, 2025
This incident has led to strong reactions from RJD’s political rivals, with BJP and JD(U) leaders criticizing Yadav’s actions.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla compared Tej Pratap to his father, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, stating: “Like father, like son. First, the father – as the then chief minister – used to make the law dance to his tunes and turn Bihar into ‘Jungle Raj.’ Now, the son, despite being out of power, attempts to make law enforcers dance to his tunes through threats and pressure. He threatens a police personnel with suspension if he doesn’t dance. This shows that RJD believes in Jungle Raj. If they come to power even by mistake, they would violate the law and make its protectors dance. This is just a trailer. So, it is important to keep them away from power.”
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad also condemned the act, stating: ‘Jungle Raj’ has ended, but the Yuvraj (Prince) of Lalu Yadav is threatening a policeman about the consequences if he does not comply with his instructions to dance. Bihar has now changed. Whether it is Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, or any of the family members of Lalu Yadav – they need to understand that such acts have no place in the environment of this changing Bihar.’
The controversy comes at a crucial time, as Bihar is set to hold Assembly elections later this year. The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the official polling dates.
