A uniformed police officer
courted controversy by trying to touch the feet of a West Bengal minister after felicitating him at an event in Rampurhat in Birbhum district on Sunday.
However, Agriculture Minister Asish Bandyopadhyay, who represents Rampurhat seat, was seen preventing Assistant Sub- Inspector (ASI) Ranjan Dutta from touching his feet.
The incident happened when Bandyopadhyay was in Rampurhat police station to inaugurate a programme to felicitate elderly persons.
After the video of Dutta bending forward to touch the minister's feet went viral on the internet, opposition BJP and Congress termed the act as "unbecoming of a police office who has lowered the respect of the force".
Congress MLA from Hansan seat, Milton Rashid described Dutta's act as "pathetic and aimed at placating the ruling establishment".
Local BJP leader Shyamapada Mondal said the ASI has lowered the respect for police officers in the society.
When asked about the issue, Bandopadhyay said, "I can not say why he did this. But being a teacher, I am familiar to people's habit of touching my feet as a mark of respect for an elderly person and an educator.
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