Indian minister slaps woman, claims he was 'stopping' her from falling at his feet

Gulf Today Report

An Indian state minister V. Somanna sparked controversy after footage of him slapping a woman at a public function went viral on Sunday.

The incident happened on Saturday evening during a land deeds distribution function in Gundlupet, Chamarajnagar district.

Around 175 people, who could benefit from the deeds under a land regularization program under the rural areas program, would receive the title deeds at the event.

The woman, identified as Kempamma, later claimed to have begged the minister to help her get a plot title at the event as well.

She denied that the minister slapped her.

The minister, who is the district manager of Chamarajnagar, then said he had tried to remove the woman to "prevent her from falling at his feet."