Delhi| A major controversy arose during the flag hoisting ceremony held at the official residence of Union Minister of the Dalit community, Ramdas Athawale (11, Safdarjung Road, New Delhi) on Independence Day. The centre of the controversy was senior Dalit officer Meer Singh, who has been associated with the minister for the past 32 years.
According to sources, Meer Singh was entrusted with the responsibility of flag hoisting under government protocol in the absence of Minister Athawale. However, suddenly, Manju Chhibbar, president of the women’s wing of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), who belongs to a high caste, attempted to forcibly unfurl the flag. When Meer Singh opposed this citing rules and traditions, he was mistreated and subjected to casteist remarks.
The dispute escalated, allegations of bias against the police. The Tuglaq Road police present during the incident not only intervened immediately but also registered a case against Meer Singh under BNS sections 74 and 75 on the complaint of Manju Chhibber. Remarkably, despite the video footage present at the scene and the statements of witnesses, the police took no action against Manju Chhibber. This has raised serious questions about the impartiality of the police.
Currently, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale is on a foreign tour. We are waiting for his official response on the matter. However, Dalit organizations and social activists claim that they will continue to struggle until the false case against Meer Singh is withdrawn and action is taken against the guilty.
