New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has strongly condemned the death by suicide of Additional DGP Y Puran Kumar, calling it a shocking reminder of the deep-rooted prejudice and injustice embedded in the system. In a letter addressed to Kumar’s wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, Sonia expressed solidarity and urged the fight for justice to continue.
“Prejudiced and Biased Attitude Still Deprives Social Justice” – Sonia Gandhi
In her emotional letter, Sonia Gandhi wrote – “The passing of Y Puran Kumar is a reminder to us that even today, the prejudiced and biased attitude of those in power deprives even the most senior officials of social justice.”
She further added, “My heartfelt condolences to you and your entire family in this time of immense difficulty… I, and millions of people of the country, stand with you on this path to justice.”
Sonia’s remarks came days after Puran Kumar’s suicide note named eight senior IPS officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Singh Kapur, alleging harassment and targeted humiliation that led to his mental distress.
Congress Steps Up Political Pressure on BJP
Earlier this week, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also launched scathing attacks on the BJP, blaming its “Manuvadi ideology” for the growing disenchantment among Dalits, tribals, OBCs, and minorities.
Kharge described the death of Kumar, a Scheduled Caste officer, as – “Not only shocking but also a horrific testament to social injustice, inhumanity, and insensitivity.”
Rahul Gandhi echoed this sentiment, stating, “The hatred and Manuvadi ideology of the BJP-RSS have filled society with venom… SCs, STs, OBCs, and Muslims are gradually losing hope for justice in this system.”
Backdrop: FIR Filed, Judges Named, Political Storm Intensifies
Kumar’s eight-page suicide note, which has triggered a political and legal firestorm, resulted in an FIR registered under abetment to suicide and relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
His wife, Amneet P Kumar, has demanded the suspension and arrest of the named officers, while refusing to conduct his last rites until “justice is served.”
The Haryana government, under pressure, has already removed Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya, one of the officers named in the note, and replaced him with Surinder Singh Bhoria.
Sources have indicated that DGP Kapur may be asked to go on long leave as the state looks to calm growing unrest within the police and civil services.
A Stark Reflection on the State of Social Justice in India
The death of Y Puran Kumar has sparked nationwide outrage, particularly among marginalized communities and public servants from Scheduled Castes. Many view the incident as emblematic of systemic discrimination, even against senior officers who dare to resist or raise questions against internal abuse of power.
Sonia Gandhi’s letter and the remarks from other top Congress leaders add political momentum to what is fast becoming a national debate on social equity, caste bias, and institutional accountability.