Chandigarh: For the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s October 17 rally in Sonipat couldn't be worse.

What was planned as a grand celebration of chief minister Nayab Singh Saini’s first year in office and showcase of the Haryana model of governance on the eve of Bihar assembly elections has now coincided with the massive controversy surrounding senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar’s death. 

While the issue triggered massive political outrage across the state, the Saini government’s inability to contain it so far has only amplified the crisis.

The situation remains precarious as the family of the deceased officer is yet to grant permission for his post mortem and cremation even six days after the 2001 batch IPS officer allegedly died by suicide after accusing senior officers of caste discrimination and humiliation.

What is more worrisome for the BJP government and for the prime minister’s upcoming rally is that 31-member Y. Puran Kumar Nyay Sangharsh Morcha formed in consultation with the deceased officer’s family had on Sunday given 48-hour ultimatum to cede to their demand for suspension and arrest of Haryana’s top cops – accused of driving the officer to suicide. 

The morcha announced that the Dalit community of the state would take to the streets and launch a widespread democratic movement, if the government fails to take effective action against erring officials including the state DGP within the stipulated time. 

As opposition parties in the state, including Congress threatened a widespread protest in support of the family, this has amplified the political tension in Haryana on the eve of the BJP’s upcoming rally.

The optics problem

For the BJP government, the crisis looming over the IPS officer’s suicide is no longer an administrative issue. The opposition’s attack on the ruling government has turned it into a battle of perception.

Since its first victory in Haryana in 2014, the BJP has carefully crafted an image of inclusive and efficient government, often making huge claims over promoting social justice through welfare schemes.

As per media reports, Prime Minister Modi’s rally is expected to emphasise on the welfare schemes of the BJP government in Haryana including its latest ‘Lado Lakshmi Yojana’, a monthly cash transfer of Rs 2,100 to women, framing it as a symbol of empowerment and welfare.

Following the row over the senior Dalit IPS officer’s death in the BJP’s regime – that too as a result of alleged caste discrimination as the late officer had narrated in his suicide note – the opposition parties are challenging the ruling government and attempting to dismantle the saffron party’s ‘welfarism image’.

Several Congress leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Kumari Selja and Charanjit Singh Channi, labelled the Dalit IPS officer’s death as illustrative of the BJP’s ‘Manuwadi’ mindset – one that promotes caste hierarchy and social discrimination against Dalits and other underprivileged sections. 

“IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar is not getting justice in a BJP-ruled state because he was a Dalit,” stated former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi during his media statement yesterday (October 12). 

Congress national president Kharge also said in a social media post on October 11 that between 2013 and 2023, there was a 46% increase in crimes against Dalits and that crimes against Adivasis rose by 91% during the period. 

Also read: Dalit IPS Officer's Suicide: Family Withholds Permission for Postmortem

He also mentioned that the caste discrimination against an IPS officer in Haryana, the harassment of Hariom Valmiki, the attack on the Chief Justice of India are not isolated incidents, but a dangerous manifestation of the feudal mindset of the RSS–BJP.

Behind the scenes

In a bid to defuse tensions, the Chief Minister has deployed a high-level task team including dalit ministers Krishan Lal Panwar and Krishan Bedi, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, and Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar. 

They are constantly in touch with the family of the deceased officer, trying to persuade them for a post mortem, which is pending for days now. The family is insisting on their demands- primarily arrest of Haryana DGP and Rohtak SP- before granting permission for post mortem.

In his latest media statement, state minister Krishan Bedi expressed hope that the family of the late IPS officer would soon consent to the autopsy and allow the last rites to be conducted.

The minister said the Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya – accused of harassment by the officer’s wife Amneet P. Kumar – has already been transferred without any posting. Bedi assured that the government stands by the family and promised fair action as the matter is being probed.

But deadlock continues to persist between the deceased officer's family and the state government, even as the October 17 rally is approaching soon. 

A debate is quietly brewing within political circles over whether the Saini government, caught between celebration and crisis, can successfully navigate.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of telephone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. Icall, a counselling service run by TISS, has maintained a crowdsourced list of therapists across the country. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.

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