VK Singh remark: NCSC sends notice to UP DGP, Ghaziabad SSP

New Delhi: Taking suo motu congnisance of Union Minister Gen (retd) VK Singh's controversial comments over the Dalit burning issue, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has issued a notice to DGP of Uttar Pradesh and SSP of Ghaziabad.

Terming as "unfortunate" the dog analogy used by Singh in stating that the Centre "cannot be held responsible if someone stones a dog", NCSC chairman PL Punia said the notices have been issued "seeking details of action report from police" in light of such remarks.

"We have sought to know from the police whether action under IPC and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act can be taken in the case and what action has been taken so far?" Punia said.

When asked whether a notice has been issued to Singh as well, Punia clarified that notice cannot be issued by it to a minister, but to law enforcement agencies for failing in the performance of their duty.

NCSC said it has asked the DGP and SSP to appear in person before it on November 2.

Referring to the Faridabad incident in which two Dalit children were burnt alive on the intervening night of October 19-20, Singh said it was a case of personal feud and it needed to be seen if there had been an administrative lapse.

He had also said, "For everything... like if somebody throws a stone at a dog, then the government is held responsible... it is not like that."

Deprecating Singh's comment, Punia said, "It is insulting not only for that particular Dalit family but the entire Dalit society."

The NCSC Chairman said that Singh's statement has been condemned by all political parties. Even Ramvilas Paswan, "who is part of the NDA government, has condemned it", he claimed.