Congress & Dalit community seek justice for IPS officer

Gurgaon: Congress functionaries , along with members of Dalit community , on Monday took to the streets to demand justice for former IPS officer V Puran Kumar. Kumar, who shot himself at his house in Chandigarh, had accused the DGP of Haryana and several other IPS officers of harassment and humiliation, which allegedly forced him to take the extreme step.

During the protests that took place in Rewari and Gurgaon, Congress functionaries said on the one hand, the "suicide" of the senior IPS officer has shaken the administrative system, while on the other, the incident of a shoe being thrown at CJI Justice BR Gavai inside the courtroom reflects the "deteriorating state of democracy" and the justice system in the country. A protest march from Rajiv Chowk to District Mini Secretariat was organised in Rewari, raising slogans such as " Justice for V Puran Kumar " and "Stop atrocities on Dalits." The march concluded at Mini Secretariat, where a memorandum addressed to the President of India was submitted to the deputy commissioner. AICC secretary and former MLA Chiranjeev Rao said that the recent incidents — in Haryana and outside — are not only a matter of concern for the state but for the entire nation.

"If CJI is not safe inside the courtroom and a senior IPS officer is forced to take his own life due to govt pressure, harassment and caste-based discrimination, it is a dangerous sign for Indian democracy," Rao said. He added that V Puran Kumar belonged to the Dalit community and his suicide note clearly mentioned mental harassment and caste-based discrimination, exposing the state govt's "anti-Dalit attitude".

The members of Valmiki Samaj and Prajapati Samaj said the govt has ignored the voice of the deceased officer's family. The action of the govt after the incident shows a clear attempt to "suppress and manipulate" the investigation. Congress district (rural) president Vardhan Yadav said the suicide case should be investigated under the supervision of the high court; the family's demands be fully respected; and immediate steps be taken to "stop atrocities against Dalits ".