A Kolkata street vendor who recently served his famous jhalmuri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The vendor, identified as Raju, received death threats following the high-profile interaction, forcing local authorities to step in and provide him with police protection.
Incident Details
The incident unfolded when PM Modi, during a visit to Kolkata, stopped at Raju's stall and enjoyed a serving of the popular Bengali snack. The moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, bringing unexpected fame to the humble vendor. However, this fame soon turned into a nightmare as Raju began receiving threatening phone calls and messages, warning him of dire consequences.
Police Response
Upon learning of the threats, the Kolkata Police immediately intervened. A police team was deployed to Raju's residence and his stall to ensure his safety. Officials confirmed that a security detail has been assigned to him until the situation is deemed safe. Raju, in a statement, expressed his gratitude to the police and the government for their swift action.
Vendor's Reaction
Raju, who has been selling jhalmuri for over a decade, said he never imagined that serving the Prime Minister would lead to such a situation. "I am just a small vendor trying to make a living. I never thought I would need security just for doing my job," he said. He added that he is grateful for the support and hopes the threats will stop soon.
The incident has sparked a debate about the safety of ordinary citizens who come into contact with high-profile figures. Many have condemned the threats and called for stricter action against those responsible. The police have launched an investigation and are tracing the origin of the threatening calls.
