Rahul Gandhi Demands Justice Following Haryana IPS Officer Puran Kumar's Death

Haryana IPS Officer’s Suicide Sparks Outrage, Rahul Gandhi Calls for Immediate Government Action and Accountability

Rahul Gandhi has requested prompt measures regarding the matter of Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, who reportedly committed suicide on October 7. Gandhi met with Kumar's family in Chandigarh on October 14, expressing deep concern over the systemic caste-based discrimination the officer reportedly faced during his tenure.

Allegations of Caste-Based Discrimination

In an extensive suicide note that spanned eight pages, Kumar accused ten high-ranking officers in the police force of inflicting years of mental torture, public disgrace, and caste discrimination upon him.

Among those named were Haryana's Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur and Rohtak Superintendent of Police (SP) Narendra Bijarniya.

His spouse, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, has called for the inclusion of these police officers in the First Information Report (FIR) as the ones who supposedly encouraged her husband's suicide.

Political and Public Outrage

The whole incident has caused a lot of angry reactions all over India. Rahul Gandhi, a leader from the Congress party, criticized the Dalit officials' plight and said, "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."

He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana's Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to act right away.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has also joined the call for justice, staging protests across Haryana and warning of a state-wide agitation if no action is taken within ten days. 

Official Response and Investigations

The Haryana government has taken some action, and the pressure they were under was very high. The Commissioner of police, Shatrujeet Kapur, has been sent on compulsory leave, and the police of the state are checking the credibility of the suicide note.

The note is under the scrutiny of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory to verify its origin.

In the meantime, the Haryana Revenue Officers’ Association took a one-day collective leave as a sign of support with Kumar’s family and to call for a just investigation. The association's members were also present at his home in Chandigarh to give their condolences.

Ongoing Developments

As of October 14, Kumar's family has refused to proceed with his funeral until their demands for justice are met. The case continues to draw national attention to issues of caste-based discrimination within India's bureaucracy and police force.