Call it the more-loyal-than-the-king syndrome or penchant for publicity – due or otherwise – this IPS official went out of his way to edit a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches during his two-day Gujarat visit that concluded on Saturday and added something in his favour.
During his visit, the Prime Minister heaped praise on the police force for their exemplary work during the Covid-19 crisis by either reaching food or medicines to patients’ homes and even spent their own money in the service of the people and the latter offered food to tired cops on 24X7 duty. Modi was speaking at the convocation of the Rashtriya Raksha University at Gandhinagar.
But IPS Ajay Choudhary, who is the Joint Commissioner of Police (Admin) and holds additional charge of police headquarters, tweaked the video of Modi speaking as though he was talking to him and referring to him when praising the police force for Covid-19 work. Choudhary, who is known to have accounts on all social media platforms, even forwarded the video across his contacts.
It didn’t stop here. His wife, family members, and well-wishers added congratulatory messages and made it viral on social media, and even tagged police officers in the State. Since Choudhary is an IPS, no officer made any remark on this video but was indeed discussed across the police force across the State.
When pointed out that his video had reached right up to the Prime Minister, Choudhary said, “Since it is in the social media, obviously everyone will see it.” Specifically asked if the Prime Minister referred to him, he said, “Everyone watches social media, I wasn’t aware beforehand.”
To another question, he admitted that “He (the PM) didn’t specifically refer to me, but he did indirectly say that there are many videos about police in uniform doing round-the-clock duty.” He added, “Millions viewed this video, and then in Ahmedabad, everyone knows who knows how much work and people are aware.”
Meanwhile, IPS sources said that Ajay Choudhary was not given any security duty during the Prime Minister’s entourage to Gujarat on March 11 and March 12.
