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A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Uttar Pradesh has been served a notice by the party following the circulation of a controversial video on social media. The footage reportedly shows Amar Kishore Kashyap, BJP’s Gonda district president, engaging in behaviour deemed “inappropriate” with a woman at the district party office.
The incident allegedly took place on 12 April and has since drawn significant attention both within the party and from the public. The BJP’s Uttar Pradesh leadership has taken a serious view of the matter and demanded a written explanation from Mr Kashyap within seven days.
Govind Narayan Shukla, BJP state general secretary and MLA, issued the official notice stating that the leader’s conduct had negatively impacted the party’s image and amounted to indiscipline. “The video circulated on social media has brought to light conduct that negatively impacts the party’s reputation and falls under the category of indiscipline,” the letter reads.
“In accordance with the instructions of the state president, you are hereby asked to submit a written explanation to the BJP state office within seven days. Failure to provide a satisfactory response in the stipulated time will invite strict disciplinary action,” the letter added.
The notice further emphasised that the party had taken the matter seriously due to its adverse public impact, warning that failure to comply could result in strong disciplinary measures.
Copies of the notice have also been sent to senior leaders, including the state president, state general secretary (organisation), and regional officials of the Avadh region. A BJP party worker has already lodged a formal complaint with the leadership, describing the video as “shameful.”
Responding to the allegations, Amar Kishore Kashyap has defended his actions, claiming that the video is being misinterpreted and used to defame him. “The woman is an active member of our party,” he said. “She called me and said, ‘President, I am not feeling well. I want to rest. Give me a place to stay for a while.’ So I picked her up and brought her to the office.”
According to CCTV footage, the woman is seen getting out of a car at the party office. In a second video, she is shown ascending the stairs, with Kashyap closely behind her. He then puts an arm around her shoulders and briefly embraces her before the two part ways and continue up the stairs. The BJP leader has claimed that his actions were motivated by concern for the woman’s health.
“While climbing the stairs, she felt dizzy, and I held her hand to support her. She also held my hand. The footage is being misused to malign me,” he said. “Now if we do not help our workers, then whom should we help? And if helping a worker is a crime, then we cannot say anything about it,” he added.
