Twitter suspended the account of retired IPS officer Dr NC Asthana, who also served as DGP Kerala, on Tuesday for making threatening comments for protesting wrestlers in Delhi.
The suspension from the social media platform comes after the former top cop tweeted that the protesting wrestlers “will be shot if needed”. Asthana’s remarks apparently came when one athlete was heard shouting, “Goli maar do hume (shoot all of us)” at the Jantar Mantar while the police were attempting to detain the protesters marching toward the new parliament building on Sunday.
Asthana’s complete tweet reads, “Will even shoot if necessary. But not because you’re saying.” The officer further wrote, “We have just dragged and dumped you like a sack of garbage now. Article 129 gives the police the right to shoot. That wish will be fulfilled if the circumstances demand it. But for that, you need to be educated. See you again at the postmortem table!”
Screenshot of the tweet:
The retired officer’s remark did not go well, prompting the Indian Police Foundation to condemn Asthana’s statement as “unacceptable behavior.”
In a tweet, the Indian Police Foundation said, “Deeply disturbing to see such a threatening tweet from a retired police officer. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. It tarnishes the reputation of the entire police force. (sic)”
The internet quickly turned on Asthana, and his remarks were widely condemned and shamed. Fans, fellow athletes, and public figures took to social media to express their outrage and demand an apology from Asthana.
