BJP Legislator Faces Harassment at Toll Plaza, Journey Disrupted
In a shocking incident that highlights concerns over public conduct at toll plazas, BJP MLC Keshav Prasad was allegedly harassed and unlawfully detained by staff at the Hitnalli tollgate on Sunday. The toll plaza is located on the busy Solapur-Chitradurga National Highway (NH 50) near Vijayapura. Despite identifying himself as a legislator and presenting a valid vehicle pass, the MLC was held up for approximately an hour, causing significant disruption to his travel plans.
Details of the Confrontation and Alleged Misconduct
The incident unfolded when MLC Keshav Prasad was traveling from Bengaluru to Vijayapura to attend a crucial KDP meeting scheduled for Monday. Upon reaching the Hitnalli tollgate, the staff reportedly questioned his status and demanded to see his identity card and vehicle pass. According to the MLC's account, the situation escalated quickly.
"The staff was extremely rude. One of them even dared me to complain to anyone and bluntly told me that he would not allow my vehicle to pass," Keshav Prasad stated. He further alleged that the toll employees forcibly took away his car pass and also seized the mobile phone belonging to his driver, actions that compounded the gravity of the situation.
Police Intervention and Aftermath
Following the prolonged standoff, a frustrated Keshav Prasad contacted the Vijayapura Superintendent of Police. The police response was swift, with an officer being immediately deputed to the spot. It was only after this police intervention that the MLC was finally allowed to continue his journey.
Expressing deep concern over the episode, Keshav Prasad emphasized that toll staff must be properly trained to behave respectfully with all members of the public. In a display of magnanimity, however, he specifically instructed the concerned officials not to initiate penal action or terminate the erring staff from service, opting for a corrective approach over a punitive one.
The news of the incident spread rapidly, prompting several local BJP workers to arrive at the tollgate. They confronted the staff about their conduct, underscoring the political and public relations fallout from the event. Keshav Prasad, who has registered Vijayapura district as his home constituency and holds voting rights in local body elections, is a regular attendee of official meetings in the region.
Broader Implications for Public Service
This incident raises serious questions about the behavior and accountability of personnel at essential infrastructure points like toll plazas. The fact that a public representative faced such hurdles points to the potential difficulties ordinary citizens might encounter. The episode serves as a reminder for authorities to ensure rigorous customer service training and establish clear protocols for handling disputes, thereby safeguarding the dignity of every traveler on India's national highways.
