Fresh controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday after a district collector allegedly asked his subordinate to carry his shoes, an allegation the Kallakurichi collector has rejected outright.
A video of the incident went viral on social media platforms showing Sravan Kumar Jatavath, the accused collector, purportedly asking his 'duffedar' (assistant) to carry his shoes before entering a temple, drawing criticism from various sections of Tamil Nadu civil society, and netizens.
Jatavath visited the Koovagam Kuthandavar Temple in Kallakurichi, located about 240 km from state capital Chennai, to take stock of the arrangements made ahead of the world-famous 'Koovagam' festival, celebrated by transgenders across the nation and elsewhere.
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The video clip captured the collector, while entering the temple, as he removed his shoes and allegedly asked his assistant to carry the footwear elsewhere. The official passed through the crowd and his assistant seemed to depart with the shoes in hand.
Speaking to PTI, Jatavath completely denied any wrongdoing on his part.
"I never instructed the duffedar to carry my shoes. In fact the video is edited and misinterpreted. Reporters who were present in the field know that it (the allegation) is not true. Someone who was not in the field (present there) has edited and misinterpreted the incident," he claimed.
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Social media users have criticised the official, with many questioning why modern-day India still has 'duffedars' around, a remnant of the British Raj.
