Slams BJP Government for anti-Dalit stance besides seeking justice for deceased IPS officer
Jalandhar News (Pawan Dhupar): Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat today led a candle march in Jalandhar to protest the tragic suicide of senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar in Haryana, condemning BJP Governments’ failure to protect Dalit officers and citizens.
The march, which began from Shri Ram Chowk and culminated at Luv Kush Chowk, witnessed participation from senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and members of civil society. The Minister, accompanied by Mayor Vineet Dhir, Deputy Mayor Malkeet Singh, Chairman Punjab State Cooperative Agriculture Development Bank Pawan Kumar Tinu, District Planning Committee Chairman Amritpal Singh, Chairman Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited Mangal Singh Bassi, Vice Chairman Punjab Small Industry & Export Corporation Dinesh Dhall, and Senior AAP Leader Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, expressed deep anguish over the incident, demanding justice for the deceased officer and his family.
Mr. Bhagat said the officer, a Dalit by community, was “so severely harassed by the system that he was forced to end his life.” He said the inaction of the Haryana Government not only reflected administrative apathy but also exposed its anti-Dalit mindset. Drawing parallels, he cited the recent attack attempt on the Chief Justice of India, who also belongs to the Dalit community, as another disturbing example of this bias.
Accusing the BJP Governments at the Centre and in Haryana of fostering discrimination, the Minister said such incidents have ignited nationwide outrage among Dalit communities. He demanded stern legal action against those responsible and urged the registration of a criminal case to ensure justice.
