Bhopal Police suspended Ratan Singh Parihar, in-charge of the Misrod police station, after a video allegedly showed him using abusive language against tribal students during a protest in the city, officials said on Wednesday. Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar also ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident, which took place on Tuesday.
The protest was organised by the youth wing of the Gondwana Gantantra Party over issues faced by tribal students. A video from the protest shows participants chanting “Jai Johar”, a traditional greeting used by tribal communities. According to the report, the police station in-charge objected to the slogan and allegedly used offensive language while addressing the protesters.
The suspension followed the circulation of the video on social media. An official said the departmental inquiry would examine the facts related to the incident and that further action would be taken based on its findings. The police department has not disclosed the timeline for completing the inquiry or whether any criminal case has been registered against the officer.
The incident prompted demands for action from the Congress and tribal organisations. Umang Singhar, Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, described the alleged remarks as serious and condemnable. He said “Johar” was not an abuse but a greeting associated with tribal culture, identity, self-respect and honour.
Singhar also alleged that the police official had used his position to humiliate citizens and demanded that an FIR be registered against him. He said law-enforcement officers were expected to respect the law and the Constitution, and that any misuse of official authority should result in accountability.
The episode places the conduct of police personnel during public demonstrations under scrutiny. The available report establishes that the officer was suspended and that an internal inquiry was ordered, but it does not establish the final findings of the department or whether the allegations in the video will lead to further disciplinary or criminal action.
The departmental inquiry ordered by the Bhopal Police Commissioner is the next formal step in the case. Further action will depend on the findings of that inquiry, according to the official statement cited in the report.
