Rahul Gandhi visits Dalit IPS officer’s family
· Says, Dalits across country getting message that they can be suppressed; it’s not acceptable
· Reminds Haryana CM of his commitment to family
CHANDIGARH, October 14: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi today visited the family of deceased Haryana cadre IPS officer Y Puran Kumar and expressed his and Congress party’s sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family members.
Later, while interacting with reporters, Gandhi said, it was a tragic incident in which an IPS officer was forced to take his own life after being systematically discriminated against, demoralised and victimised. He said, it was not just a matter of one family, but about crores of Dalit families living across India who are getting a wrong message from this incident — that no matter how intelligent, capable or successful you are, you can still be crushed, your voice muzzled. He emphasised that it is not acceptable to the Congress party.
In a clear and categorical message to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Haryana Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition told them that action must be taken against the accused officers and they should be arrested. “Stop this drama and take action”, he told the government.
Gandhi noted that deliberate attempts had been made to damage the career and reputation of the deceased officer.
Expressing sympathy with the IPS officer’s two daughters and sharing their grief, Rahul Gandhi stated that they had lost their father. He demanded that the undue pressure being put on the family must be withdrawn and the deceased officer must be allowed a dignified funeral.
The senior Congress leader said that the family’s message was simple and clear that it wants respect for the deceased officer, at least after his death. He pointed out, the officer was falsely implicated, disrespected and his career deliberately damaged. He added that the family has made it clear that if dignity is not accorded to him posthumously, it would be completely unacceptable to them.
