A traffic police constable in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district was caught on camera allegedly making communal remarks after mistaking a Hindu truck driver for a Muslim and accusing him of engaging in “gaddari” (treachery). The incident took place in Karanji and has since drawn attention after a video of the confrontation went viral on social media.
The truck driver, Shyamlal Rao, had been recording a video to document what he claimed was the targeting of Muslim truck drivers by traffic police officers when he himself was stopped for inspection. The viral footage shows the constable attempting to prevent Rao’s companion from recording the interaction.
According to the video, Rao initially asked the constable to remove the cloth covering his face in the interest of transparency. The confrontation escalated after Rao alleged that the officer used physical force against him. Rao then demanded an explanation for the officer’s conduct and sought an apology.
During the exchange, the constable asked Rao, “Are you a Muslim? You must be.” Rao responded by identifying himself as a Jat from Rajasthan and questioned why the officer had brought religion into the conversation.
The constable then allegedly said, “If you were a Hindu, you wouldn’t do this. Gaddari wala kaam kyun karra? Dadagiri mat kar (Why are you acting like a traitor? Don’t try to intimidate me).”
As the argument continued, a senior police officer intervened. Addressing the senior officer, Rao recounted the incident, saying, “He behaved rudely, so I complained. After that, he said, ‘You are a Muslim; if you were a Hindu, I wouldn’t have done this.’ What kind of talk is that, bringing religion into it?”
Rao also reminded the constable that, as a government employee, he was expected to act impartially and demanded an apology for the remarks. The situation was subsequently resolved following the intervention of the senior officer.
