Watch: BJP's Naroda lawmaker hits woman in stomach, says did it in 'self-defence'

A BJP lawmaker has sparked a massive controversy after a video went viral that showed him kicking a woman protester in stomach on Sunday. The video captured by some locals surfaced online on Sunday and instantly went viral. The lawmaker has been identified as one Balram Thawani. The BJP MLA from Gujarat’s Nardoa, Thawani was seen kicking the woman in stomach even as she screamed and wreathed in pain. The woman has also been identified. “I had gone to meet BJP MLA Balram Thawani over a local issue but even before hearing me he slapped me, when I fell down he started to kick me. His people also beat up my husband. I ask Modi ji, how are women safe under the BJP rule,” asked Nitu Tejwani from hospital bed.

After the brazen act was captured on camera, Thawani first said that he did it in ‘self-defence’ and that he was hit first. But after the issue ballooned into major controversy, he said that changed the track and said, “I got swayed by emotions, I accept the mistake, it was not intentional. I have been in politics for last 22 years, such thing has never happened before. I will say sorry to her.”   

Slamming the BJP for its lawmaker’s brazen behaviour, Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted: “Balram’s Dear Leader, one Mr @narendramodi said he gives a “suraksha ki guarantee” to Muslim women Kathua, Unnao, Muzaffarpur sheter home & this case are all evidence of how the PM says something & but let’s his party folks do the exact opposite Indeed, (BJP se) Beti Bachao!”

The is not the first time that a politician has been caught on camera abusing a woman. In January this year, former Karnataka chief Minister Siddaramaiah was seen attempted to snatch the mic from a woman complainant, which resulted in her dupatta being pulled off. "The incident happened in an attempt to stop a party worker's long speech at a meeting in Varun today. It was by accident. I have known that worker for 15 years; she is like my sister," Siddaramaiah had later clarified on Twitter.