The Dalit community in Gujarat, angered by the ‘disrespect’ to congress MLA Jignesh Mevani in the latter’s scuffle with the IPS Rajkumar Pandian, is organising a protest outside police headquarters on October 23.

A heated argument broke out between Mevani and IPS Pandian on Tuesday when Mevani, who went to present issues of Dalits at the police headquarters, was aksed to leave the mobile phone outside by IPS Pandian. 

Dalits accused the authorities of not listening to them, including IPS Pandian, who was expected to address their concerns but did not. They claimed that the behaviour of police officials has changed, stating, “Nobody wants to listen to us.”

They alleged that even top-level police officials have changed their behaviour, which was ‘unacceptable’.

The Dalit community has given the government an ultimatum — if IPS Pandian is not transferred from his position within the next 24 hours, they will protest against him in Gandhinagar.

What had happened between Mevani and Pandian at police headquarters ?

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

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

Also read:

With no set rules, IAS and IPS officers differ on phone policy for visitors