MP Shivpuri news: A man attached to a government primary school as a teacher in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district was suspended on Saturday, hours after he mimicked Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi during a local gathering and was caught on video. The video quickly gained traction online, hours after which, a BJP MLA from Pichhore lodged a written complaint with the district administration authorities in this regard. The District Education Department subsequently suspended the man under provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) rules.

Man identified as Saket Purohit, claims he just wanted to make people laugh

The suspended teacher has been identified as Saket Purohit, who claimed that the act was purely a light-hearted satire and was performed to entertain people in attendance at the event. Purohit confirmed that the video was recorded at a programme held at the local Anand Bhawan under the state government-led ‘Happiness Department’ initiative. Sources said participants at the event had staged songs, skits and other acts, when Purohit decided to present a brief mimicry segment. 

In his performance, Purohit imitated the speaking style of PM Modi while commenting humorously on the rising prices of LPG cylinders, and the possibility that people might return to the decades-old technique of cooking on traditional chulhas. He said, “I just wanted to make people laugh,” adding that he had never expected the video to circulate widely online. After it went viral, Purohit claimed he deleted the clip. 

MP Shivpuri news: BJP MLA files complaint, prompting suspension

The controversy escalated after Preetam Lodhi, a BJP MLA from Pichhore, approached the district authorities with a written complaint, alleging that a government employee had publicly mocked the PM, violating service conduct rules. The District Education Department carried out a probe and suspended Purohit thereafter. District Education Officer (DEO) Vivek Srivastava confirmed the move, stating that Purohit had been attached to the Block Education Office in Badarwas and was placed on subsistence allowance. 

Purohit questions procedure

Following the suspension, Purohit raised questions on the manner in which the action was taken, stating that no show-cause notice had been issued to him before the suspension order was served. He told the media, “Taking action without hearing my side is not justified,” adding that his suspension order was conveyed to him late at night. 

Purohit known locally for social welfare initiatives

Purohit joined the government school in 2014, and has been teaching students from Classes 1 to 5 since then. By 2017, he had emerged as a ‘master trainer in happiness’ under the state’s community initiative. He is recognised across the district for organising blood donation drives and ramping up community efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including raising funds to arrange oxygen cylinders when supplies were hit.