A police constable of the Armed Reserve wing has been suspended from duty for writing articles for Telugu newspapers. G Vara Kumar, an Armed Reserve police constable of Suryapet district, was charged with allegedly “exhibiting gross misconduct” and violation of the service rules.
Vara Kumar, who hails from Dalit (Madiga) community, is vocal on social issues pertaining to Dalits and writes poetry on several issues. Earlier, he had also penned a novel titled ‘Am I a slave?’, narrating the life and agonies of lower cadre in the police department.
The constable recently published two of his pieces in Nava Telangana and Manam daily newspapers on October 25 and 30 respectively. While one article highlighted the labour exploitation in the police system, in the other article, Vara Kumar, urged political parties to responsibly look forward to solving the problems of police in the wake of elections in the state.
The suspension order read the Surypet Superintendent of Police, R Venkateshwarlu, “after careful consideration of the available material and having due regard to the circumstances of the case, is satisfied that it is necessary to place G Vara Kumar (ARPC38) of DAR (District Armed Reserve) under suspension.”
The suspension order further maintained that Vara Kumar should not leave the headquarters without obtaining prior permission. The suspension proceeding has also stated that it was taken with the powers that were conferred under sub-rule (1) of rule 8 of Telangana State Civil services (CC &A) rules 1991.
Speaking to TNM, G Vara Kumar said the officials should have brought the matter into his cognizance if the articles he wrote were against the service rules, before taking action against him.
“If they (officials) had asked, I would have given an explanation. They could have taken action after that.”
He further added, “I didn't write against any group. I have not tarnished anyone, or written bad about the police system. Many cadres are suffering due to certain problems and I just wrote asking for reforms.”
As the suspension will continue until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings, Vara Kumar said, “I will get only half pay and I cannot survive with that. A major portion of my salary goes towards paying off my loans and house rent. The survival of my family would get tough. I will meet the Director General of Police and seek my job.”
When TNM asked district SP R Venkateshwarlu on the suspension of Vara Kumar, he said, “It had come to our notice that he has violated the civil services (conduct) rules, 1964. While he is placed under suspension, an official concerned has been appointed to enquire the matter.”
Several activists and scholars from Osmania, Hyderabad Central University, took to social media, demanding the authorities revoke the suspension.