Vadgam Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani, also the working president of the party in Gujarat, on Wednesday, October 23 wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought immediate termination of Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Additional Director General of Police (SC/ST Cell) Rajkumar Pandian “to retain the sanctity and credibility of the offices of the police department”. In this letter, Mevani has declared that he felt threatened by Pandian who should be held responsible for any possible “harm” that may happen to him, his life and to his family and his team members.
The open letter and the protest come amid an ongoing controversy related to Mevani’s recent meeting with Pandian on October 15 when the ADGP allegedly insulted him. Mevani has stated that he went to meet Pandian to raise the land-related issues of Dalits in Kutch.
In his letter to Shah, Mevani said, “With his behaviour, especially on the issue of land rights to Dalits, Rajkumar Pandian has not just misbehaved with an elected representative… he has insulted the dignity, rights and esteem of 50 lakh Dalits of Gujarat. This is unquestionably unacceptable and intolerable,” he added. Mevani has posted the letter on his social media handle on X.
Also making a reference to Pandian’s jail term in connection with the case of extra-judicial killimgs (“fake encounters”), Mevani also said, “…keeping in mind the history of accusations against and consequential jail term undergone by Pandian, I do see myself threatened.” Facing serious charges of such extra-judicial killings, Pandian was in jail for around seven years before he was discharged.
“I am compelled to say that if any harm is done to me, my life and property and/or the life and property of my family, and/or to the life and property of Shri Hitendra Pitadiya, and/or the life and property of any of my team members/associates; in any such case, Rajkumar Pandian should be held responsible,” he added.
Mevani is seeking the termination of Pandian, Mevani claimed, “I am convinced that such a bureaucrat occupying an office of such importance would always fail to serve the people, particularly the most marginal, namely Dalits. I therefore pray that in order to retain the sanctity and credibility of the Offices of the Police Department, you kindly …give necessary instructions to the concerned authorities to move to terminate/suspend Rajkumar Pandian with immediate effect.”
Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress leaders and Dalit community members on Wednesday also gathered outside the DGP office in Gandhinagar and staged a protest, seeking the suspension of Pandian. Shouting slogans against Pandian, hundreds of people led by Mevani and senior Congress leaders, including Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Shaktisinh Gohil and party MLAs, gathered outside the ‘Police Bhavan’.
“Anti-social elements have grabbed 20,000 bigha of land (1 bigha is 17,427 sq ft) belonging to Dalits, but IPS officer Pandian does not have the courage to get their land freed …When we went with an appeal, the IPS officer tried to suppress our voice…” said Mevani.
Talking to PTI, Pandian called the allegations “baseless,” and asserted the state police give due importance to the welfare and safety of weaker sections of society, including Dalits and tribals.
A delegation of senior Congress leaders also met DGP Vikas Sahay and submitted a memorandum, accusing Pandian of “absolutely unacceptable, improper and deplorable behaviour”.
(With inputs from PTI)