‘If you’re a Dalit, you can be crushed’: Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi, CM Saini to act over Haryana IPS officer’s death

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Haryana police officer Y Puran Kumar’s death is not just about the respect of one family but also of all Dalits, as he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Nayab Singh Saini to act immediately in the case.

His remarks came after he met the family of the IPS officer, who allegedly died by suicide at his Chandigarh residence.

The Congress MP offered condolences to his family members, noting Kumar's services and integrity in public life. He was joined by several senior Haryana Congress leaders, including Deepender Singh Hooda, member of Parliament; Gaurav Moolana, senior Congress leader; Kumari Selja, former union minister; and Rao Dan Singh, leader of opposition in the Haryana Assembly.

"A wrong message is being sent out to Dalits... that no matter how successful you are, if you are Dalit, you can be oppressed and crushed," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said.

He also launched an attack at Saini, saying the chief minister did not fulfil his commitment of a free and fair inquiry.

The visit by Rahul Gandhi came as opposition escalated its attack against the Haryana government over the IPS officer’s allege suicide.

In the 'final note' he left behind, the senior officer accused eight high-ranking police officials, including Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur, of "blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation and atrocities."

Following the ongoing controversy, IPS Om Parkash Singh has been assigned the additional charge of Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana after DGP Shatrujeet Kapur was placed on leave following allegations surrounding the death of IPS Y Puran Kumar.

"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, Home Department, read.