Panipat Woman Apologizes After Viral Video Insulting Former Deputy PM Devi Lal Sparks Outrage

A social media influencer from Panipat has found herself at the center of a controversy after posting a video containing derogatory remarks about former Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal, a revered political figure in Haryana. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across the state, forcing the woman to issue a public apology. 

In the controversial video, the young woman stood near a statue of Chaudhary Devi Lal in a public park and made disparaging comments in Haryanvi dialect, saying, "This is your Tau Devi Lal... he has ruined all of Haryana." She continued by criticizing parks built across districts, claiming they primarily serve as meeting spots for couples. 

The video, posted from an Instagram account named "Mental Jyoti 307," quickly went viral, triggering strong reactions from supporters of the late leader. Devi Lal, affectionately known as "Tau" (elder uncle) in Haryana, served as the country's Deputy Prime Minister and is considered an iconic figure in the state's political history. 

Following the video's circulation, supporters of Devi Lal filed police complaints in both Panipat and Fatehabad districts, demanding that sedition charges be registered against the woman. Sahildeep Kaswan, the state president of INLD's student wing ISO from Hisar, was among those who called for legal action against her.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the woman released a new video on Tuesday apologizing for her remarks. By then, the controversy had already gained significant attention across social media platforms.

The influencer maintains a substantial online presence with approximately 94,000 followers on Instagram, where she has shared over 1,200 posts. She also has accounts on Facebook and YouTube, though with significantly smaller followings – 172 followers on Facebook and 391 subscribers on YouTube, with her videos having been viewed more than 26,000 times. 

This isn't the first incident involving disrespect toward Devi Lal's statues in Haryana. Previously, a controversy erupted in Dhanana village of Bhiwani district when a young man climbed onto a statue of Devi Lal and recorded a dance video with a Haryanvi song playing in the background. That incident had angered the Chautala family, with JJP leader Digvijay Chautala, great-grandson of Devi Lal, filing a complaint with the Sirsa SP. The young man and his family later apologized before the village council. 

These incidents highlight the sensitive nature of political legacy and public figures in Haryana, where disrespect toward prominent leaders can quickly escalate into major controversies with potential legal consequences.