Man approaches TVK MLA over water, garbage woes, claims he was thrashed in video

A video purportedly showing Tamil Nadu Deputy Speaker and TVK MLA Ravi Shankar kicking and chasing away a man who approached him with complaints about drinking water shortages and garbage accumulation in his neighbourhood in Tiruchirappalli district has gone viral online.The man, identified as Karthik Kumar, a resident of Tiruchirappalli district, alleged that Ravi Shankar, who represents Thuraiyur, abused and assaulted him when he raised the civic issues. He claimed that his neighbourhood had been facing drinking water shortages for the past week, while garbage continued to pile up despite repeated complaints to the municipality.The incident took place on Diwali (Sunday) when Karthik Kumar, who had gone to the Manachanallur area for personal work, encountered Ravi Shankar, who lives there. Kumar claimed he had tried to contact the MLA several times over the problems in his ward but received no response.In the viral video, Ravi Shankar purportedly confronts the man, kicking him and chasing him away. The footage, however, is dark and does not clearly show either man's face. It is also difficult to establish who is speaking in parts of the video. Karthik Kumar, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during the interaction, allegedly told the MLA repeatedly that he had voted for Chief Minister Vijay. He claimed that despite this, the Deputy Speaker used abusive language and assaulted him.Following the incident, Kumar was admitted to the Manachanallur Government Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. - Ends