Delhi minister Parvesh Verma has faced criticism from Indian social media users after a video showing him allegedly slapping a man during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar went viral, with commenters questioning the minister’s conduct and the treatment of the man involved.
Verma later responded to the video saying that the incident followed an alleged abuse directed at his family by a worker accompanying local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Jarnail Singh.
The video showed Verma confronting the man during the inspection. Verma pulls down the man’s mobile phone with his left hand before allegedly slapping him across the face with his right hand.
The man who allegedly got slapped later sought disciplinary action against Verma and said that an FIR [First Information Report] had been registered in connection with the incident. He also alleged that Verma’s associates threatened to kill him.
AAP leaders, however, said that they had submitted a complaint, while police had not yet registered an FIR.
The incident drew reactions from Indian social media users, with one person questioning why a citizen faced such action after questioning the quality of a road being built with taxpayers’ money.
“In India, apparently, asking a minister a question can cost you more than slapping someone,” the user said, adding, “A citizen questions the quality of a road being built with taxpayers’ money. A minister slaps him on camera. And somehow, the citizen ends up facing police action. How is that fair?”
Another user said that Verma blamed the previous government instead of addressing concerns about the road, adding that voters in Delhi would not elect him again if they had “the slightest of sense”.
Another commenter wrote, “The boy who got slapped will be in jail soon. Wait and watch. If there is any fir on him don’t get surprise.”
Verma later stated that the video circulating through the AAP did not show the full context of the incident.
He added that road construction had been underway on the Vikaspuri Ring Road for several days and alleged that Jarnail had pressured PWD engineers to introduce him to the contractor and arrange a commission for him.
Verma said that Jarnail had also visited the site after work ended at night, damaged the newly laid road and recorded videos alleging corruption.
Verma also said that he decided to inspect the work himself while passing through the area on Sunday.
Former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal called for Verma’s arrest.
“Arrest the minister,” Kejriwal posted on X.
Other Indian social media users also criticised Verma over the incident, with one writing, “Absolute power makes people arrogant.”
Another commenter called Verma a “thief”, while some described the incident as an example of how “entitled” ministers view citizens.
