Gangajal in hand, UP councillors swore an oath. Now, their video is under scanner

The Shahjahapur Municipal Corporation has taken cognizance of a viral video from Tuesday that purportedly shows a group of municipal councillors taking an “oath, with Ganajal”, to split the civic body’s income equally. Shahjahanpur Municipal Commissioner Saumya Gurnani said the video was recorded last year at a private premises.

She said the authorities were examining the footage to establish its authenticity and determine the circumstances in which it was recorded. The corporation has 60 elected councillors and 10 nominated members. In the purported footage, a municipal councillor is seen holding a vessel purportedly containing Gangajal and taking an oath: “Whatever income the corporation receives will be divided among all 60 of us.

It will be distributed equally. All of us who are part of our group will stand together, and if anyone in the group faces any trouble, we will all support them.” Several people can be seen holding water in their hands and repeating the oath.

The video also contained an allegedly offensive and indecent remark by one of those present in the hall. Officials said a preliminary inquiry found that the people seen in the video are municipal councillors. The Indian Express contacted several local councillors for their response, but none was willing to comment on the matter.

Shahjahanpur Mayor Archana Verma could not be contacted for comment.