Jignesh Mevani

Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani and Additional DG Rajkumar Pandian were involved in a verbal altercation during the former’s visit to the Police Bhavan.

To address the concerns of Dalit community, Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani and Congress’ scheduled caste department chairman Hitesh Pithadia had gone to meet Additional Director General (ADG) Rajkumar Pandian on Tuesday at 12.30 pm.  

The confrontation began when ADG Pandian asked the MLA and Pithadia to leave their phones outside the office.

Mevani, in response, sought to know if the government had issued any notice or circular regarding phones, as phones are allowed in most government offices. 

This led to a heated argument between the MLA and the ADG.

Mevani said that misbehaviour of police with top elected members of the state is unacceptable, and alleged that the police are not interested in listening to the issues of Dalits.

“If the issues of Dalits are not heard, a petition will be filed in the high court,” he said.  

Mevani further alleged that IPS Pandian told him that the MLA was breaking the protocol by wearing a t-shirt to a government office,. This is disrespectful for an MLA. 

After the incident, Mevani filed a written application and called for a detailed investigation against the IPS. 

On the other hand, Home Secretary Manoj Das had said that he has not received any written application in this matter.

Pandian in his statement said that Mevani had visited the office to discuss about the situation in Kutch, and the IPS was all ears, however, the dispute has diverted the issue.

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