UP min insults 'divyang' staff, video goes viral

Senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Satyadev Pachauri allegedly insulted a physically challenged employee during a surprise inspection, a video of which has gone viral on social media.

The incident came days after the Yogi Adityanath government renamed the 'Viklang Kalyan Vibhag' (Handicap Welfare Department) as 'Divyang Jan Shasaktikaran Vibhag' (Divyang Empowerment Department).

The Khadi and Village Industries Minister allegedly made a derogatory reference when he came across a 'divyang' contractual employee on Wednesday during an inspection of the department's office in Dalibagh area here.

"You have kept a differently-abled man on contract. What will he do? This is the reason behind lack of hygiene here," Pachauri can be heard saying in the video clip.

As he drew flak over the incident, the minister said his remarks have been misconstrued. "Maybe, my words were not correct ... I was trying to say that everyone cannot do all the work," Pachauri said.

Senior cabinet minister Srikant Sharma said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked his ministerial colleagues to ensure use of proper language.