A video leaked on social media has sparked off a storm in Uttar Pradesh after it showed images of Mahatma Gandhi and the Ashok Chakra on the wall tiles of over a dozen toilets in Ichhwari village in the state. The toilets were built under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship Swachh Bharat campaign.
After strong protests from the villagers, Rural Development Officer Santosh Kumar was suspended while a notice was served to village head Savitri Devi. Action has been taken against a few other officials, too.
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A total of 508 toilets were built under Swachh Bharat campaign in Ichhwari village.
According to a report of the IANS, the villagers alleged that the controversial tiles were used as per the orders of the village head.
"When we complained against it, we were told not to interfere as it was a decision of the higher authorities. It was only when the video clip was put up on the social media that action was taken," the news agency quoted a resident as saying.
The fresh incident comes amid reports of alleged attempts from various right wing elements to disfigure the father of the nation, giving prominence to his murderer Nathuram Godse.
Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhopal MLA Pragya Singh Thakur had courted controversy during the run up to the Lok Sabha elections after she called Godse a patriot. Though she later tendered an apology after widespread criticism, her remarks found support from her own party members with another BJP MLA Usha Thakur, from Mhow in Indore, was heard glorifying Godse in a video widely circulated on social media.
