A police station in-charge in Bhopal was suspended and a departmental inquiry ordered after a video allegedly showed him using abusive language against tribal students during a protest over issues affecting the community, officials said on Wednesday.
Ratan Singh Parihar, in-charge of the Misrod police station, was suspended after the incident occurred on Tuesday, according to the report. Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar ordered the departmental inquiry, which will examine the facts and determine further action, an official said.
The protest was organised by the youth wing of the Gondwana Gantantra Party. During the demonstration, protesters were seen chanting “Jai Johar”, a traditional greeting used by tribal communities. The video, which later circulated on social media, purportedly shows Parihar objecting to the slogan and allegedly using offensive and abusive language while addressing the protesting students.
The incident has brought police conduct during public demonstrations into focus. While the suspension is an immediate administrative response, the departmental inquiry will establish what was said and how the officer behaved during the protest. The official statement cited in the report did not disclose the inquiry’s timeline or whether any criminal case had been registered.
The video prompted demands for action from the Congress and tribal organisations. Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Umang Singhar 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 said the protesting students had been raising issues related to the protection of the Constitution and democracy. He urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to ensure that the powers associated with a police uniform were not used to humiliate citizens, and demanded that an FIR be registered against the police official along with strict action.
The case places the Misrod police station and the Bhopal police administration at the centre of an accountability process. For residents, the outcome will depend on whether the inquiry establishes the sequence of events, identifies any breach of police conduct and records what action follows. The police commissioner’s order is the first confirmed administrative step in response to the allegations.
The departmental inquiry will now investigate the facts related to the incident. Further action is expected to be based on its findings, according to the official statement.
