Haryana DSP ‘apologises’ to BJP leader, Saini govt faces heat from Opposition

Sources said the event had a VVIP enclosure along with heavy police presence because of the CM. Former Odisha governor Ganeshi Lal’s son Manish Singla who is active in Haryana BJP circles reportedly reached the venue before CM Saini and was looking to enter the VVIP area. However, the policemen stationed there reportedly stopped him and escorted Singla away from the venue.

On Monday, a video clip of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jitender Singh Rana appearing to seek an apology from Singla went viral on social media.

In the video, the DSP said he could “not recognise Singla” and that he asked him to “go from there (the VVIP enclosure)” along with others.

Rana added that he had “no intention to hurt Singla’s dignity”.

“If my act has hurt the sentiments of Shri Manish Singla ji in any way, I sincerely apologise to him. I have great respect for his family,” he said.

On his part, Singla said: “My family and I have full regard and respect for the Haryana Police. I am satisfied with his reply and now we don’t have any grievances against each other.”

The video of this interaction has gone viral, with the Opposition sharing it widely.

On X, Lok Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda said: “The intoxication of power and arrogance is overwhelming BJP leaders. They are making a Haryana Police DSP apologise because he failed to recognise them at the CM’s program.”

Deepender, who is the son of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, added that the “close associates of the CM are tarnishing the dignity of both the government and the (police) uniform”.

Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said a “police officer, who was performing his duty with complete honesty, was forced to apologise”.

‘This incident is not only disgraceful but also highlights the peak of arrogance and pride stemming from power,” he said on social media.

Surjewala, a senior Congress leader, said: “This inhumane and most disgraceful behavior of Haryana’s BJP government! Is this how Haryana’s BJP government intends to govern?”

Condemning the incident, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader Digvijay Singh Chautala, who is brother of former Haryana deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, said he was “hopeful that the state DGP would take action into the matter and would not allow undermining of the police morale”.

Joining them in their criticism, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said on X: “Forcing a dedicated police officer to apologise on camera… aren’t BJP members undermining police morale? Shameful!”

Saini’s media secretary Praveen Attrey said “there was nothing wrong if two persons resolved their differences with mutual understanding”.

“It was a matter between two people who resolved their differences while sitting together. Today those who are giving statements over this matter should look into their past and remember how they used to treat the officers when they were in power. They are those who used to use abusive language when they were in power.”