New Delhi: Independent candidate Naresh Meena was arrested on Thursday in Rajasthan’s Tonk district after a high-drama operation involving riot police and senior officers. Meena, who slapped an election official during Wednesday’s Deoli-Uniara by-poll, declared to media, “I will not surrender,” before police took him into custody. His supporters responded with violent protests, blocking highways and setting fires, escalating tensions in an already contentious by-election.
The viral “slap-gate” video shows Meena confronting Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Choudhary, grabbing him by the collar, and slapping him multiple times. Meena later alleged that Choudhary had tampered with votes, saying, “I slapped him because he was doing something wrong.” The police countered, stating that the SDM was only trying to persuade villagers boycotting the election to participate.
Following the assault, violent clashes erupted in Samravata village, with 60 arrests, vandalism, and arson, resulting in eight cars and more than 20 motorcycles burned. Additional police forces were deployed to control the escalating situation.
Meena, known for his outspoken social media presence, posted on X, declaring, “I am fine… I am not scared and will never be,” further accusing Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena of orchestrating a plot against him. According to Naresh Meena, his original party ticket was canceled due to political maneuvering, forcing him to run independently with the backing of the Bharat Adivasi Party.
Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, have seized on the incident to criticize the BJP, alleging a breakdown in law and order. Gehlot expressed concern over the “loss of fear” among people, allowing them to take the law into their own hands.
The Deoli-Uniara by-election, triggered by the election of Harish Chandra Meena to the Lok Sabha, has become a high-stakes battleground involving political heavyweights. The outcome of this fiercely contested by-poll will be announced on November 23.
