Kiran Bedi Criticised for ‘Vulgar’ Performance at Ramlila
Daijiworld Media Network
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New Delhi, Aug 26: Key member of Anna Hazare-led civil society, Kiran Bedi, a 1972 batch retired IPS officer and PhD holder, considered India's first and highest ranking woman police officer, is in the centre of a storm for enacting and flaying a member of parliament at Ramlila Maidan on Friday August 26.
The one-time, bold and daring police officer Kiran Bedi is under criticism for 'insulting' elected representatives on the stage at Ramlila Ground where Anna Hazare has been on a fast for the last eleven days for a strong Lokpal Bill.
A member of parliament who visited Ramlila was taken to task by Kiran Bedi who was addressing the protestors.
She spontaneously asked the crowd "Ask him (member of parliament who was present there), what is he going to do? They always 'double talk', and say one thing inside the parliament and another outside."
Further she said "These MPs wear a mask!"
Then Bedi, to the great amusement of the crowd, proceeded to pull a scarf from the neck of a young activist on stage, wrapped her head with it like a 'ghunghat' (veil) and proceeded to mock MPs and their "double-faced utterances".
With the scarf covering her face, she lifted it now and then to show how MPs wear masks of different types, and look in different directions with each mask.
Reactions
Kiran Bedi's behavior has shocked many, especially political experts and senior leaders.
Chandan Mitra, BJP spokesperson and journalist said that he never expected such remarks from such a high-ranking former police officer.
Somanath Chatterjee, former speaker of Lok Sabha and former communist party leader said that it was not right on the part of a responsible citizen like her to insult politicians in that way.
Even those who had been watching her 'drama' from the audience could not hold back their disspointment.
"I am shocked at Kiran Bedi's behaviour. When Anna has always called for a peaceful and dignified protest, how can Kiran Bedi, an IPS officer and a responsible former police officer insult an elected representative in public? This is nothing but vulgar." said a social activist and supporter of Anna.
Soon after the incident, some politicians passed remarks on a television channel that she should apologise to the MP as she had no right to make mockery of an elected representative in public. Just because people support Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, it does not mean she has the liberty to resort to 'vulgur' acts on the stage, they said.
It may be recalled that, Kiran Bedi, a leading light of Team Anna and known as a no-nonsense and upright officer, had been miffed at not being made Delhi Police commissioner.
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