Ujjain’s Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has been suspended for issuing an official order that cited Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s controversial “ghanta” remark as a “symbol of authoritarian behaviour” following deaths linked to water contamination in Indore.&nbsp;The SDM, Anand Malviya, had issued the order while laying out law-and-order arrangements ahead of Congress protests over the Indore contamination case. However, the document went beyond administrative directions and included contentious observations,&nbsp;The order claimed that the deaths occurred after residents of Indore consumed “contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation”. “In Indore, due to consumption of contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation, 14 people have died and 2,800 persons are undergoing treatment,” it read.&nbsp;Highlighting the statement of Vijayvargiya on the issue, it described the minister's remark as “inhuman and a symbol of authoritarian behaviour”, adding that the use of the word “ghanta” on such a sensitive issue was “highly objectionable”.&nbsp;“On this sensitive issue, the objectionable remark made by a state government minister, the use of the word ‘ghanta’ is a sign of inhuman and authoritarian behaviour. The [Congress] State President… Jitu Patwari ji, has taken a decision that in protest against this incident, BJP MPs and MLAs will be gheraoed,” the notice further read.<h3>The directive was issued without proper verification</h3>Subsequently, the Divisional Commissioner of the Ujjain Division suspended Malviya, citing serious negligence and procedural lapses in handling a sensitive issue. According to the suspension order dated January 5, the action was taken after it became apparent that the directive was issued without proper verification, based on information received on January 3 regarding a proposed protest.&nbsp;When asked about the order, Malviya told The Indian Express that some part of it seems taken from a Congress WhatsApp order. “The order contains portions lifted from a WhatsApp group of the Congress party calling for a protest; the reader had lifted the portions. The health data mentioned was also from official sources, but after the errors were noticed, I rescinded the order and issued a fresh one. But someone made the old order viral,” he said.&nbsp;The suspension came after a proposal submitted by the Dewas Collector’s office on January 4, which flagged the earlier order as procedurally improper and containing factual inaccuracies. “The said order was issued without examination and on an extremely sensitive and serious issue, using incorrect figures. This reflects grave negligence, indifference, and irregularity in the discharge of official duties,” the order noted.&nbsp;The Commissioner stated that the action has been taken in response to misconduct under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965. Referring to Rule 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966, the order said that Anand Malviya has been suspended with immediate effect.

The SDM, Anand Malviya, had issued the order while laying out law-and-order arrangements ahead of Congress protests over the Indore contamination case. However, the document went beyond administrative directions and included contentious observations,

Ujjain’s Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has been suspended for issuing an official order that cited Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s controversial “ghanta” remark as a “symbol of authoritarian behaviour” following deaths linked to water contamination in Indore. The SDM, Anand Malviya, had issued the order while laying out law-and-order arrangements ahead of Congress protests over the Indore contamination case. However, the document went beyond administrative directions and included contentious observations, The order claimed that the deaths occurred after residents of Indore consumed “contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation”. “In Indore, due to consumption of contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation, 14 people have died and 2,800 persons are undergoing treatment,” it read. Highlighting the statement of Vijayvargiya on the issue, it described the minister's remark as “inhuman and a symbol of authoritarian behaviour”, adding that the use of the word “ghanta” on such a sensitive issue was “highly objectionable”. “On this sensitive issue, the objectionable remark made by a state government minister, the use of the word ‘ghanta’ is a sign of inhuman and authoritarian behaviour. The [Congress] State President… Jitu Patwari ji, has taken a decision that in protest against this incident, BJP MPs and MLAs will be gheraoed,” the notice further read. The directive was issued without proper verification Subsequently, the Divisional Commissioner of the Ujjain Division suspended Malviya, citing serious negligence and procedural lapses in handling a sensitive issue. According to the suspension order dated January 5, the action was taken after it became apparent that the directive was issued without proper verification, based on information received on January 3 regarding a proposed protest. When asked about the order, Malviya told The Indian Express that some part of it seems taken from a Congress WhatsApp order. “The order contains portions lifted from a WhatsApp group of the Congress party calling for a protest; the reader had lifted the portions. The health data mentioned was also from official sources, but after the errors were noticed, I rescinded the order and issued a fresh one. But someone made the old order viral,” he said. The suspension came after a proposal submitted by the Dewas Collector’s office on January 4, which flagged the earlier order as procedurally improper and containing factual inaccuracies. “The said order was issued without examination and on an extremely sensitive and serious issue, using incorrect figures. This reflects grave negligence, indifference, and irregularity in the discharge of official duties,” the order noted. The Commissioner stated that the action has been taken in response to misconduct under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965. Referring to Rule 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966, the order said that Anand Malviya has been suspended with immediate effect.

The SDM, Anand Malviya, had issued the order while laying out law-and-order arrangements ahead of Congress protests over the Indore contamination case. However, the document went beyond administrative directions and included contentious observations,

Ujjain SDM suspended after he issued an order citing Vijayvargiya’s ‘Ghanta’ remark as 'authoritarian behaviour'

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya lost his cool on a reporter as he was asking him questions about the situation around the contaminated water-related death in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area. He was seen as dismissive towards the reporter and told him, “...Don’t ask unnecessary questions.” Indore, which is considered the cleanest city in India, has seen the death of 10 individuals due to drinking water contamination.The reporter merely asked that a lot of people have still not received the reimbursement, and they still do not have clean drinking water. The Minister responded harshly at first when he persisted that he had himself visited the locality. The senior BJP leader lost his temper and aggressively walked off after using abusive language. He tried to reason with the MP, “ Kailash ji, please speak properly, what sort of words are you using, you're a senior leader. How can you speak such foul words?” The minister paced inside his vehicle. Someone from his entourage tried to stop the reporter, saying, “He is our leader.” The reporter continued, "So what, this doesn't permit using slang, 10 people have died already."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">देश के सबसे साफ शहर में गंदा पानी पीने से 10 से ज्यादा लोगों की मौत हो चुकी है जिस शख्स पर लोगों को साफ पानी पिलाने का जिम्मा है वो सवालों को फोकट बता रहे हैं हमारे सवालों को &quot;घंटे&quot; में उड़ा रहे हैं <a href="https://twitter.com/manishdekoder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@manishdekoder</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GargiRawat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GargiRawat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Pan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Abhinav_Pan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sanket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sanket</a> <a href="https://t.co/5iIF2AiFZ7">pic.twitter.com/5iIF2AiFZ7</a>&mdash; Anurag Dwary (@Anurag_Dwary) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anurag_Dwary/status/2006401457512452457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">मैं और मेरी टीम पिछले दो दिनों से बिना सोए प्रभावित क्षेत्र में लगातार स्थिति सुधारने में जुटी हुई है। दूषित पानी से मेरे लोग पीड़ित हैं और कुछ हमें छोड़कर चले गए, इस गहरे दु:ख की अवस्था में मीडिया के एक प्रश्न पर मेरे शब्द गलत निकल गए। इसके लिए मैं खेद प्रकट करता हूँ। लेकिन जब…&mdash; Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) <a href="https://twitter.com/KailashOnline/status/2006426641413902681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However, following the backlash, the BJP MP apologised on social media, saying that he lost his temper under the stress of the situation and sorrow over the death.“My people are suffering from contaminated water, and some have left us; in this state of deep sorrow, my words came out wrong in response to a media question. For this, I express my regret. But until my people are completely safe and healthy, I will not sit quietly,” he wrote.The video of the exchange went viral on social media. People came out in support of the reporter: “Kudos to the reporter, may your tribe grow, especially in today’s India.” Another sarcastically commented, “Biggest irony is, wherever the next election will happen, the voters will vote for the same politician again.”The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance and sought a report from the government. An official was sacked, and two others suspended in connection with water contamination. Residents blamed the municipal corporation’s inaction for the deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp;

MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya loses temper over reporters' questions on Indore contaminated water deaths; officials suspended, public outrage follows.

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya lost his cool on a reporter as he was asking him questions about the situation around the contaminated water-related death in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area. He was seen as dismissive towards the reporter and told him, “...Don’t ask unnecessary questions.” Indore, which is considered the cleanest city in India, has seen the death of 10 individuals due to drinking water contamination. The reporter merely asked that a lot of people have still not received the reimbursement, and they still do not have clean drinking water. The Minister responded harshly at first when he persisted that he had himself visited the locality. The senior BJP leader lost his temper and aggressively walked off after using abusive language. He tried to reason with the MP, “ Kailash ji, please speak properly, what sort of words are you using, you're a senior leader. How can you speak such foul words?” The minister paced inside his vehicle. Someone from his entourage tried to stop the reporter, saying, “He is our leader.” The reporter continued, "So what, this doesn't permit using slang, 10 people have died already."

MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya loses temper over reporters' questions on Indore contaminated water deaths; officials suspended, public outrage follows.

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya snaps at media over Indore contaminated water deaths question

A day after, Bhopal court granted bail to Akash Vijayvargiya in an assault case, the BJP MLA was released from Indore District jail on Sunday.

On his release, Akash was welcomed with flower garlands by his supporters and relatives.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Madhya Pradesh: Celebratory firing outside BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya's office in Indore after he got bail in an assault case. (29-06) <a href="https://t.co/d1j2d03hLY">pic.twitter.com/d1j2d03hLY</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1145186776291663872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Speaking to ANI, the BJP legislator, who was jailed for thrashing a municipal corporation officer with a bat, said he was not embarrassed or guilty of what he did as he could not think of anything else when women were being mistreated.

"I am not guilty or embarrassed about what I did as it was in public interest. A woman was being dragged brutally in front of the police and I couldn`t think of doing anything else," he said, adding that he hopes he would not have to pick up the cricket bat again.

"We work for public interest and dedicate each and every moment of our lives for the peace and prosperity of people of this country. We will continue doing that. I pray to god ki vo dobara ballebazi karne ka avsar na de (I Pray to God that I should not be given another opportunity to pick up the bat," he added.

Akash, son of BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, was arrested on June 26.

The Indore-3 MLA's release was preponed by two hours keeping in mind the law and order situation in the city.

Owing to an earlier release, a celebratory rally could not be held by his supporters.

A day after, Bhopal court granted bail to Akash Vijayvargiya in an assault case, the BJP MLA was released from Indore District jail on Sunday. On his release, Akash was welcomed with flower garlands by his supporters and relatives.

A day after, Bhopal court granted bail to Akash Vijayvargiya in an assault case, the BJP MLA was released from Indore District jail on Sunday. On his release, Akash was welcomed with flower garlands by his supporters and relatives. Madhya Pradesh: Celebratory firing outside BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya's office in Indore after he got bail in an assault case. (29-06) pic.twitter.com/d1j2d03hLY — ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2019 × Speaking to ANI, the BJP legislator, who was jailed for thrashing a municipal corporation officer with a bat, said he was not embarrassed or guilty of what he did as he could not think of anything else when women were being mistreated. "I am not guilty or embarrassed about what I did as it was in public interest. A woman was being dragged brutally in front of the police and I couldn`t think of doing anything else," he said, adding that he hopes he would not have to pick up the cricket bat again. "We work for public interest and dedicate each and every moment of our lives for the peace and prosperity of people of this country. We will continue doing that. I pray to god ki vo dobara ballebazi karne ka avsar na de (I Pray to God that I should not be given another opportunity to pick up the bat," he added. Akash, son of BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, was arrested on June 26. The Indore-3 MLA's release was preponed by two hours keeping in mind the law and order situation in the city. Owing to an earlier release, a celebratory rally could not be held by his supporters.

BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya released from jail, says 'not embarrassed' of thrashing officer

Days after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya took a dig at the Congress party and criticised them for using "chocolaty faces" to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Vijayvargiya held a press conference in Indore where he was asked about reports of Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan being named by Congress for contesting from Indore and Bhopal constituencies.

"This shows the dearth of self-confidence in them. They don't have any leader, that's why they want to contest the upcoming elections while banking on chocolaty faces.

Somebody takes Kareena Kapoor's name while others ask for Salman Khan. Now they have brought in Priyanka Gandhi (Isse unke aatmavishwas ki kami jhalakti h. Unke paas leader nahi hain, isliye wo chocolatey chehre ke madhyam se chunav mein jaana chahte hain. Ye unke andar ke atmavishwas ki kami ko darshata hai... Koi Kareena Kapoor ka naam chalata hai, koi Salman Khan ka, kabhi Priyanka Gandhi ko le aate hain)," Mr Vijayvargiya said.

"They don't have confidence on Rahul Gandhi's guidance," he added.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, earlier this week was made the general secretary of the Congress and in-charge of the party affairs for the eastern Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha elections.

Days after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya took a dig at the Congress party and criticised them for using "chocolaty faces" to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Days after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya took a dig at the Congress party and criticised them for using "chocolaty faces" to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mr Vijayvargiya held a press conference in Indore where he was asked about reports of Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan being named by Congress for contesting from Indore and Bhopal constituencies. "This shows the dearth of self-confidence in them. They don't have any leader, that's why they want to contest the upcoming elections while banking on chocolaty faces. Somebody takes Kareena Kapoor's name while others ask for Salman Khan. Now they have brought in Priyanka Gandhi (Isse unke aatmavishwas ki kami jhalakti h. Unke paas leader nahi hain, isliye wo chocolatey chehre ke madhyam se chunav mein jaana chahte hain. Ye unke andar ke atmavishwas ki kami ko darshata hai... Koi Kareena Kapoor ka naam chalata hai, koi Salman Khan ka, kabhi Priyanka Gandhi ko le aate hain)," Mr Vijayvargiya said. "They don't have confidence on Rahul Gandhi's guidance," he added. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, earlier this week was made the general secretary of the Congress and in-charge of the party affairs for the eastern Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha elections.

Congress banking on 'chocolatey' faces for Lok Sabha poll: Kailash Vijayvargiya