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A tense and dramatic scene unfolded at the government office in Dehradun when Uttarakhand’s Director of Primary Education, Ajay Kumar Naudiyal, snatched a phone from a woman reporter, and a brief scuffle broke out. The incident, which was recorded, shows Naudiyal visibly angry and the woman trying to protect her device while others intervened. According to a report from Dainik Bhaskar, the confrontation happened when the parents of D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education) trainees visited the director’s office. They expressed concern about the ongoing primary teacher recruitment process and sought clarification on whether D.El.Ed trainees would be considered in the current recruitment. Shocking Video Captures The Confrontation The 58-second video shows Naudiyal visibly angry. He points his finger and approaches a woman before snatching her phone. As he snatches the phone, the woman grabs his waistcoat in protest. Naudiyal then hands the phone to someone else. During this moment, the woman repeatedly says, “Hum press se hain (We are from the press).” Naudiyal then says, “Kahi se bhi ho (From wherever you are).” Several people try to intervene to calm the situation. The footage also shows Naudiyal moving towards another person who was recording the incident in an attempt to take that phone as well. The woman is heard shouting, “Video banao, video banao (Make a video, make a video).” People intervene, return her phone and guide Naudiyal back inside the office. At one point, a man who has been identified as Shiv Prasad, coordinator of the Rashtrawadi Regional Party, reacts angrily to Naudiyal’s actions. He says, “Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki BP high mat karo, haath uthao ge kya? Director ho ya badtameez? (I had already said don’t raise your blood pressure, will you raise your hand? Are you a director or rude?)” Naudiyal responds, “Tum ho badtameez (You are rude).” Meanwhile, the woman continues to emphasise that Naudiyal raised his hand at the press personnel. Ajay Naudiyal, Director of Elementary Education in Uttarakhand Govt snatched the phone of a female reporter and after that his staff faced a tough time to protect him from the wrath of the Nari Shakti. pic.twitter.com/l4YlbdRfR7 — NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) November 6, 2025 Online Backlash Grows After Director’s Behaviour After the video of the altercation began circulating on social media, many users expressed anger and disbelief over the director’s behaviour. One user commented, “When this government employee can behave like this with a journalist, then how does he behave with others?? And how do other government employees behave with the public??? And then they say that these are the servants of the public.” Another said, “When the Director of Education forgets his own lesson plan on professionalism, the press becomes the teacher, and the entire nation watches the exam live.” “Suspend the director immediately,” someone else demanded, while another person commented, “When these people behave so rudely with a journalist in front of the camera, one can only imagine how they treat the common public.” “The government should take strict action against officials who engage in such misconduct with journalists who reveal the truth,” read another comment. Parents’ Concerns Over Recruitment The incident is linked to the recent announcement by Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat on November 2, which opened 1,649 posts for primary teacher recruitment, Dainik Bhaskar reported. Officers were directed to start district-wise applications. Parents of D.El.Ed trainees from the 2021-22 batch feared their children might miss the opportunity since recruitment has already begun, and their exams are scheduled in November-December. They were reportedly demanding that trainees from their batch also be included in the recruitment. उत्तराखंड: महिला पत्रकार से झप्पटा मार मोबाइल छीन लिया। महिला- मैं प्रेस से हूं डायरेक्टर साहब- कही से हो, यह कहते हुए महिला से हाथापाई करते रहे. यह सब होता देखा और साथी पत्रकार भड़क गए. कैमरे पर मोबाइल छीनने वाले साहब प्रारंभिक शिक्षा निदेशक अजय कुमार नौडियाल हैं. pic.twitter.com/dLQIm4hBrJ — Priya singh (@priyarajputlive) November 6, 2025 Ajay Kumar Naudiyal’s Statement The report mentioned that Naudiyal wrote a letter to the Uttarakhand Director General of School Education, where he stated that around 250-300 parents and trainees entered the office without prior notice on November 6. He further wrote that the visitors disrupted the office environment and started making videos despite being asked not to. Naudiyal also alleged that they were pressuring staff to stop the recruitment process. Woman Journalist’s Account As per the report, the woman journalist was identified as Sima Rawat, who is the managing director of a news portal. She confirmed that Naudiyal snatched her phone and threw it to the ground while she tried to record the incident. She said, “Mere saath haathapayi bhi hui (There was also a scuffle with me).” Matter Reaches Chief Minister’s Office According to Navbharat Times, the issue has now reached Uttarakhand’s Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat. The report, citing sources, mentioned that the minister has sought a detailed report on the incident and asked for complete information about what happened. The Chief Minister’s Office has also been informed, and officials from the CM Secretariat said that, considering the seriousness of the matter, a decision will be taken soon.
