Bhopal Police Officer Suspended for Alleged Misconduct Against Tribal Students
Police Action Following Allegations of Misconduct
File image of Misrod Police Station SHO, Ratan Singh Parihar(Photo: IANS)
Bhopal, Oct 14: Ratan Singh Parihar, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Misrod Police Station, has been suspended amid allegations of mistreatment towards tribal students during a protest in Bhopal.
This decision was made following intervention from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who took immediate notice of the situation.
The Chief Minister deemed the Inspector prima facie responsible for the alleged misconduct and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel stated on Wednesday that the Chief Minister had expressed serious concern regarding the matter and mandated action against the police officer.
Further actions will be determined based on the investigation's outcomes.
In response to the Chief Minister's directive, the Bhopal Police Commissioner initiated a departmental inquiry against Parihar to clarify the events surrounding the incident.
The protest occurred on Tuesday, organized by the student wing of the Gondwana Gantantra Party, focusing on issues affecting tribal students.
During the demonstration, it is alleged that the SHO became agitated when students chanted 'Jai Johar', a traditional greeting linked to tribal identity and culture.
A video that circulated widely on social media reportedly shows the Inspector using offensive language towards the students and threatening them with violence.
This footage sparked calls for accountability from tribal legislators and organizations, with the Opposition Congress also condemning the officer's behavior.
Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar has called for stringent measures against the Inspector, including filing a First Information Report (FIR).
He emphasized that police officers should safeguard citizens' rights and uphold constitutional values rather than misuse their authority to demean individuals.
In a post on the social media platform X, Singhar criticized the alleged verbal abuse directed at tribal students for expressing their cultural identity through the slogan 'Johar', labeling it as serious and unacceptable.
“Johar is not an insult but a representation of tribal culture, dignity, and pride,” he remarked, highlighting that the greeting embodies love, respect, and unity.
Singhar asserted that any disrespect towards tribal culture and identity would be intolerable and urged the state government to hold the involved police personnel accountable.