A shocking video showing Telangana Deputy Speaker Padma Rao Goud stuffing a wad of cash into a young boy’s mouth as “a gesture of appreciation” has drawn flak from children’s rights activists. The incident happened last week during Bonalu celebrations in Secunderabad, where the boy was performing.
The video shows a young boy playing a percussion instrument amidst cheers from the crowd as Goud watches. Goud then walks forward and stuffs a wad of currency notes into the boy’s mouth, even as the minor continues playing the instrument. The cheers from the crowd only grow louder. The boy then continues playing, with the cash stuffed in his mouth.
Watch the video below.
Children’s rights activists have strongly condemned Goud’s actions.
“It might be appreciation towards the child, but the way in which it was shown was not right. He could have waited for the child to finish playing and either given it to him in his hand or kept it in his pocket. We should have more care, concern and respect when dealing with children,” children’s rights activist Revathi Devi, a former member of the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), said.
Speaking to TNM, Padma Rao Goud defended what he did saying, “It is a common practice in Telangana, during functions and events they take a wad of notes and put it in the mouth of a performing artist. I was impressed with the boy’s performance and so I did that. It is not such a big thing.”
When told that many viewed the act as insensitive, he added, “I have not committed a crime or indulged in a scam. That boy is a student from Bombay and it was a way of rewarding him for his musical skills. Other than that, the incident is over a week old.”
A 3-time MLA from Secunderabad, Padma Rao Goud even served as the Excise Minister in Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s cabinet in the previous term of the TRS.