Article Today, New Delhi:
The suicide of senior Dalit IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar in Haryana has reignited the debate over caste discrimination within India’s administrative and police systems. Despite holding a high-ranking post, the officer reportedly faced persistent caste-based harassment from colleagues. His death has triggered national outrage, with political leaders and Dalit organisations demanding accountability and structural reforms.
Allegations Against Senior Officers
Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer serving as Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Rohtak Range, reportedly took his own life at his Chandigarh residence using his service revolver. In an eight-page letter written before his death, he accused eleven senior officials—including DGP Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia—of sustained harassment and discrimination. The letter revealed that he was humiliated for performing temple rituals in 2020 and was later denied an official vehicle and government accommodation.
Systemic Bias in Promotions and Facilities
The late officer’s letter also detailed how Scheduled Caste (SC) officers were routinely overlooked in promotions and access to official privileges. He alleged that dominant-caste officers deliberately blocked fair recognition and opportunities for Dalit officers. In 2024, Puran Kumar had reportedly written to the Haryana Chief Minister, warning of the growing caste-based bias within the police system. His death, therefore, has come to symbolise the deep psychological pressure faced by Dalit officers even at the highest levels of service.
Family Seeks Justice Under SC/ST Act
Following the tragedy, Puran Kumar’s wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, filed a police complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, alleging a conspiracy and caste-based harassment leading to his death. Chandigarh Police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has also taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sought a detailed report from the Haryana government.
Nationwide Condemnation and Political Response
Political leaders and rights organisations have strongly condemned the incident. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the death as “a tragic reminder of India’s social poison,” demanding systemic reform to eliminate caste bias from public institutions. Dalit groups across the country have organised protests and candlelight vigils, calling for strict punishment for those responsible.
A Call for Structural Change
The case has once again exposed the persistence of caste discrimination within India’s bureaucratic and policing systems. Activists and retired officers argue that symbolic measures are insufficient without institutional safeguards and transparent mechanisms for accountability. As the investigation unfolds, Puran Kumar’s death stands as a stark reminder of the challenges that Dalit officers continue to face in a system meant to uphold equality and justice.
