Action sought after photo of inspector celebrating birthday with history-sheeters in Yadgir goes viral

A photograph of the circle police inspector in Yadgir district allegedly celebrating his birthday with history-sheeters has gone viral on social media drawing strong reaction from members of Dalit organisations who have sought action against him.

The officer seen in the photograph has been identified as Shorapur police inspector M. Umesh. In the photograph, he is allegedly vseen celebrating his birthday with history-sheeters near Gandhi Chowk in Shorapur.

The Karnataka State Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Krantikari wing) submitted a memorandum addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, North Eastern Range, Kalaburagi, through the Yadgir Superintendent of Police on November 3, alleging that the officer celebrated his birthday with history-sheeters.

In the memorandum, the samiti has also alleged that the law and order situation in the city had collapsed after Mr. Umesh took charge. Because of his inept handling, the rift between the Dalit and the Valmiki communities over a garden near Ambedkar Circle had escalated, the samiti has also alleged.

This was the second such incident in the district within a month. Earlier, sub inspector attached to the Narayanapur station Raj Shekhar was found celebrating his birthday on the station premises with a history-sheeter.

Superintendent of Police Pruthvik Shankar had placed him under suspension in the second week of October, after former Minister Narasimha Naik (Rajugowda) submitted a memorandum, demanding action.

Referring to the earlier action, Mallikarjun Kranti, State organiser of KSDSS, who had submitted a memorandum, demanded similar action against Mr. Umesh too. In the memorandum, he has warned of an agitation before the SP’s office in Yadgir on November 26, if no action was taken immediately.

Mr. Shankar told The Hindu that he had sought a detailed report on the incident and further action will be initiated based on it. Meanwhile, sources revealed that the DSP Shorapur has submitted his report to Mr. Shankar.

When contacted, Mr. Umesh said that while he was proceeding to the police station via Gandhi Chowk, members of a private organisation, who had already made preparations for his birthday celebrations, forced him to take part in the celebrations. “I didn’t notice the history-sheeters among the gathering. My birthday was celebrated in September. I don’t know the intention behind making it an issue after a month,” he said.