Controversy over Garlanding of Former Dacoit Portrait in Shivpuri
Something weird happened in Shivpuri , Madhya Pradesh , on Sunday. A controversy flared up after a BJP MLA , Pritam Lodhi , did something rather unexpected. He garlanded a portrait of former Chambal dacoit Rambabu Gadariya .
This happened during a function organized by the Pal-Baghel community in Pichhore town, meant to celebrate the birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar . Portraits of both Holkar and Gadariya were on stage. Lodhi was there, chief guest, and he paid tributes to both.
Ahilyabai Holkar , you know, she’s revered. Everyone remembers her for her administrative smarts, her charity. But then you have Gadariya. The decision to honor that portrait, it just lit a fire. It sparked a real political row.
When Lodhi spoke to the crowd, he framed things differently. He called Gadariya his “companion in happiness and sorrow.” He said he saw the struggles Gadariya went through in life. He argued that society and the circumstances really pushed him toward crime.
He insisted that if things hadn't been so bad, Gadariya “would not have become a dacoit.” That was the core of his argument, wasn't it?
And then he brought up something else. He maintained that criminals and dacoits are still human beings. There’s a need to understand the situations that shape people.
Lodhi claimed he had witnessed a lot of Gadariya’s life. He said he met him everywhere. In jail. In the forests. He said they crossed paths in prison, and they crossed paths in the jungles. He also expressed support for Gadariya’s family. He kept reiterating his commitment to the community.
“I knew his situation very closely,” he told them. “Certain people in society harassed him so much that he was forced to become a dacoit. Otherwise, Rambabu was never destined to become one.”
He remembered everything. From jail to the jungles, they met everywhere.
But the reaction wasn’t smooth. It drew criticism from everywhere. People started questioning this move. Why honor a former criminal at an event dedicated to Ahilyabai Holkar ? She’s such a respected historical figure.
Congress ’ local unit president, Sahab Singh Kushwah , stepped in. He condemned the whole thing. He said it was just unacceptable. To put the photo of a “notorious criminal” next to a revered historical icon.
Kushwah asked a pointed question. What message was the legislator trying to send? Does he want people to see criminals as role models? That’s what Kushwah was asking. A messy situation, really. Just a portrait and a political argument.
Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board
Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.
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