The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) intensified its campaign across Punjab on Sunday, seeking justice for Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, a Dalit officer who recently died by suicide. AAP ministers and MLAs are set to lead candlelight marches in major districts, with Harbhajan Singh ETO in Amritsar, Mohinder Bhagat in Jalandhar, Gurdev Devmann in Patiala, and senior leaders organizing in Chandigarh.
Kumar died by suicide at his residence in Chandigarh on October 7 and reportedly left a nine-page suicide note that detailed allegations of caste-based discrimination, mental harassment, and administrative oppression from several senior IAS and IPS officers in Haryana.
The AAP has criticized the BJP-led Haryana government for its silence regarding Kumar’s alleged suicide, inciting widespread outrage. The party contends that the government’s inaction demonstrates a lack of sensitivity to issues faced by the Dalit community. They have claimed that delays in the post-mortem and last rites suggest efforts to suppress the truth under political pressure.
Furthermore, the party linked its quest for justice for the IPS officer to the principles of justice and equality espoused by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. AAP emphasized, “The people of Punjab will not tolerate injustice against an honest officer like Puran Kumar. If a senior IPS officer cannot get justice, what hope is there for the common citizen?” The party has vowed to persist in its movement until Kumar’s family receives justice.
