Our country is diverse, and so are the people living in it. On the one hand, we have cops like Manoj Barahate, who jumped from a 20 ft. high bridge into a river without any second thoughts to prevent a person from committing suicide. On the other hand, we have cops like Pradeep Kumar, who show no compassion and destroy the minimal resources that support someone’s meager income.
It was a regular day for poor Kishan Kumar- a 65-year-old man who works outside the General Post Office in Lucknow and supports his living by typing in Hindi with his typewriter– until Sub-Inspector asked him, Pradeep Kumar, to vacate his spot as he wanted to “clear out encroachment in front of the G.P.O.”
But Kishan Kumar refused as he had worked at the same spot for the past 35 years while working 10 hours every day and earning a bare minimum of ₹50 only. Further, he had to face the wrath of the inhumane cop. The sub-inspector abused the older man, flung his typewriter onto the ground, and kicked it across the pavement until it broke down to pieces.
Meanwhile, Kishan Kumar pleaded with the policeman not to do so and cried as he saw his only income source being cracked open. He then tried to fix his shattered typewriter worth ₹4000, a hefty amount for the older adult.
A crowd gathered around to witness this daring scene, but no one dared to stop the policeman or even speak up against his act of cruelty towards Pradeep Kumar. Instead, a local reporter happened to catch the incident on camera.
The cop, flagrant, didn’t even fail to pose for the photos reportedly and showed no repentance signs. He then left the incident site, leaving the older man in his vulnerable state.
Kishan Kumar said, “I’ve been doing this work for the past 35 years and have witnessed many changes ever since, but I guess it is the time to change myself now. Just like Hindi, the nation doesn’t need my typewriter anymore.” ( पिछले 35 साल से यही काम कर रहा हूँ और बहुत कुछ अपनी आँखों के सामने बदलते देखा, लेकिन अब शायद खुद को बदलने की जरुरत है, अब हिंदी के तरह मेरे टाइप राइटर की भी देश को जरुरत नही है। )
Later, this act caused a frenzy of rage online as the photos of the incident went viral, and people expressed their furor. People have also been collecting funds online to support Kishan Kumar’s lifestyle. The news caught the attention of Uttar Pradesh’s C.M., Akhilesh Yadav, and he ordered the suspension of the adverse sub-inspector immediately for “beating up an innocent wage earner.”
The C.M. was also fast to reach out to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police and ordered them to visit Mr. Kumar and present two new typewriters. The D.M. and S.S.P. personally visited Mr. Kumar’s house and apologized for the sub-inspector’s immoral behavior.
They also assured him not to lose faith in the police and expect better. The C.M.’s office posted about the incident on Twitter, making the actions of the C.M. and the police department public.
If you want to show your support to Kishan Kumar, you can reach out to him at +919335052997.
