Watch: IAS officer’s ‘aukaat’ remark to trucker receives backlash

IAS Kishor Kanyal during a meeting with truckers (Image credit: PTI/X)

An IAS officer has copped backlash for his use of the word “aukaat” or stature while reprimanding a trucker at a meeting. The meeting was called to discuss a possible solution to the nationwide strike by transport unions over the new penal law on hit-and-run cases.

“Achche se bolo (Talk nicely),” a trucker requested Shajapur (Madhya Pradesh) Collector Kishor Kumar Kanyal during the meeting.

“Kya bol rahe ho jara dhyaan rakho. Kya karoge tum? Kya aukaat hai tumhari? (Be careful of what you say. What will you do? What is your status?),” the irritated IAS officer shot back.

Refusing to back down, the trucker responded: “Yahi toh ladai hai ki hamari koi aukaat nahi (This is the fight that we have no stature).”

VIDEO | A verbal spat erupted between Shajapur (Madhya Pradesh) Collector Kishor Kumar Kanyal and one of the truckers, protesting against the new hit-and-run law, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/nv6bMvB3FJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 2, 2024

As the clip reached social media, Shajapur Collector Kishor Kanyal received backlash for what many said was his arrogant and high-handed approach.

“Why do these officers lose humanity once they reach to top positions?” asked one X user. “These IAS and IPS officers are most arrogant and corrupt people in the country!” said another. “His language is extremely bad. He should publicly apologise,” a third suggested.

आज ड्रायवर्स और उनके संगठनों के साथ संपन्न हुई बैठक में एक व्यक्ति द्वारा बैठक में बार-बार 03 जनवरी के बाद किसी भी लेवल पर जाने की बात कहने पर कलेक्टर श्री किशोर कन्याल ने उसे शांत करने के लिए थोड़े तल्ख लहजे में कही गई बात किसी को ठेस पहुंचाने के उद्देश्य से नहीं कही गई थी। pic.twitter.com/jgMvs5Gwwy

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— Collector Shajapur (@collectorshajap) January 2, 2024

Kanyal’s office issued a clarification as the row over his choice of words escalated.

“In the meeting held today with the drivers and their organizations, when a person repeatedly spoke about escalating the situation after January 3, Collector Kishore Kanyal said something in a harsh tone to pacify him. It was not said with the intention to hurt him,” his office posted.

Meanwhile, truckers have called off their protests after the government assured it would consult stakeholders before implementing the new law on hit and run cases.