Controversy Erupts As Roja Asks Cleaning Staff To Keep Distance During Selfie Moment In Viral Video

Actress-turned-politician Roja Selvamani sparked controversy when a video surfaced showing her gesturing to cleaning staff at Thiruchendur Murugan temple in Tamil Nadu to maintain distance while they approached her for a selfie. The incident occurred on Monday.

In the viral video, cleaning staff can be seen approaching Roja with their mobile phones to take selfies as she exits the temple. Roja is seen in the video signaling them to keep their distance when two women cleaning staff members attempt to take a picture with her.

The women workers are seen posing for the selfie with Roja, keeping their hands behind them as per her gesture.

As of the time of writing this story, neither the YSRCP nor the Andhra Pradesh government has issued a response to the video.

However, the incident has sparked criticism on social media, with netizens accusing Roja of caste discrimination. One user commented, "Original video Roja Caste Discrimination: While leaders like DyCM @PawanKalyan are trying to bridge the gap with sanitation workers by saying 'Nenu mi relli kulasthudini,' YCP leaders still engage in caste discrimination. SC/ST communities should realize this and reconsider their support for YCP." Another user criticized, "It's wrong and a waste of employees' time for Roja Selvamani to take photos like this @RojaSelvamaniRK praying to god to save her now." Yet another questioned, "Did Roja show discrimination against sanitation workers while taking selfies?"

The incident has stirred debate and drawn attention to issues of social sensitivity and equality in public interactions.