“At least respect him after his death,” said Rahul, adding that it is a matter of every Dalit family in the country.

Rahul Gandhi Meets the family of Y. Puran Kumar Haryana IPS Officer Suicide Case Latest News: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today, in a clear message on Tuesday, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to take action against police officers whose alleged acts of caste-based discrimination led to the suicide of IPS Y. Puran Kumar. 

He alleged that no action has been taken despite the commitment given to the family by the Haryana Chief Minister.

"There has been a tragedy. He is a government officer, and the Haryana CM has personally given them a commitment that he will start a free and fair inquiry and initiate action. He said this three days ago, but this commitment is not getting fulfilled. His two daughters, who lost their father, are under a lot of pressure, and disturbance,” Rahul said while addressing the press after meeting the family.

Rahul Gandhi met the family of the deceased officer in Chandigarh today, October 14, and paid his condolences. He stated that years of caste-based systematic discrimination against the police officer were evident and that it sends a wrong message to crores of Dalits in the country, demeaning them, and he called it “unacceptable.”

“It is a Dalit couple and one thing is clear that there was systematic discrimination for years to demoralise this officer and to damage his career and his reputation by other officers. This is not just a matter of one family. There are crores of Dalit brothers and sisters in the country, and they are getting the wrong message. The message that no matter how successful, intelligent, or capable you are, if you are a Dalit, you can be suppressed and thrown out. This is not acceptable for us,” Rahul said further speaking at the press address.

In his message to PM Modi and CM Saini, Rahul urged them to allow the funeral procession of the victim to take place and to take action against the accused police officers.

“As the LoP, my message to PM Modi and CM Saini is that you should allow the funeral procession of the officer to take place and stop this drama. The clear message I want to give to PM Modi and CM Saini is to take action against the officers and release the pressure on this family,” Rahul said.

Speaking about the kind of pressure the late officer could have been subjected to, Rahul said, “He was a serving officer. The country understands what type of pressure could have been created on him. Action should be taken against these officers immediately. Arrest the officers and initiate the action.”

“At least respect him after his death,” said Rahul, adding that it is a matter of every Dalit family in the country.

Rahul said, “The family is getting a simple message, and they just want respect. You tried to disrespect her husband, tried to end his career and he committed suicide. At least respect him after his death, this is what the officer's wife said. This is not a matter of a family's respect; it is a matter of every Dalit family in the country. I am saying this to the Prime Minister and CM Saini that initiate actions as soon as possible...”

Meanwhile, on October 14, the Haryana government sent the accused DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave and assigned the additional charge of Director General of Police, Haryana, to IPS Om Parkash Singh.

“The Governor of Haryana is pleased to assign the additional charge of DGP Haryana to Sh. Om Parkash Singh, IPS (HY:1992 RR), Managing Director, Haryana Police Housing Corporation, Panchkula, Director/FSL Madhuban and DG/HSBNCB (H) during the leave period of Sh. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, IPS HY:1990,” an order by the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Haryana, Home Department, read.

IPS Y. Puran Kumar allegedly committed suicide at his residence in Chandigarh on October 7. In the ‘final note’ he left behind, the officer accused several senior police officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur, of caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation, and atrocities.

On DGP Shatrujeet Kapur sent on leave, Congress MP Kumari Selja speaking to PTI, said, “Sending an officer on leave after eight days cannot be called action. Delay in post-mortem shows inefficiency and failure of the state government.”

The case has sparked massive outrage among the public and triggered a political row.

(For more news apart from “Not a Matter of One Family’s Respect, But of Every Dalit Family in the Country: Rahul Gandhi ,” stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)