Congress MLA Accuses BJP of Anti-Dalit Stance Following IAS Officer's Resignation
In a sharp critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), retired IAS officer and Phagwara Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday condemned the resignation of Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Rinku Singh Rahi. Dhaliwal asserted that this development starkly reveals what he termed the anti-dalit face of the BJP government.
Allegations of Systemic Discrimination
Dhaliwal elaborated that the BJP has a consistent history of opposing dalit interests. He cited the 2018 attempt to dilute the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which sparked nationwide protests. According to Dhaliwal, these protests resulted in the tragic deaths of 14 dalit youths, with thousands more facing legal actions, including arrests and ongoing court cases.
He demanded that the central government reject Rahi's technical resignation and reinstate him with a dignified posting. Additionally, Dhaliwal called for the immediate withdrawal of all cases filed against dalit youths during the 2018 demonstrations.
Rising Atrocities Under BJP Rule
Dhaliwal further alleged that under the BJP-led central government, incidents of atrocities and discrimination against Dalits have surged across India. He highlighted the struggles dalit students endure in educational institutions, where they face significant barriers even after securing employment.
"Many face harassment to such an extent that they are driven towards extreme steps," Dhaliwal stated. He accused institutions of deliberately awarding lower marks to dalit students in internal assessments and designing recruitment criteria that exclude qualified dalit candidates.
Specific Recruitment Concerns
Referring to Haryana, Dhaliwal pointed to a recent recruitment drive for 120 teachers, where only three dalits were selected, while 117 candidates were marked as "Not Found Suitable (NFS)". He claimed similar discriminatory patterns are evident in other recruitment processes nationwide.
Background on Rinku Singh Rahi
Dhaliwal described Rinku Singh Rahi, a 2022-batch IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, as an honest official who vocally opposed corruption during his Provincial Civil Service (PCS) tenure. He alleged that Rahi was violently attacked, sustaining severe injuries including gunshot wounds, loss of an eye, and jaw damage.
Despite these challenges, Rahi continued his studies, became an IAS officer, and persisted in his anti-corruption efforts. Dhaliwal claimed that Rahi was not assigned any work for eight months, ultimately leading him to submit a technical resignation.
Appeal for Immediate Action
Dhaliwal appealed to the central government and the President of India to take prompt action by reinstating Rinku Singh Rahi. He emphasized the need for justice and fair treatment for dalit communities in the face of what he perceives as systemic bias.
