IPS Officer Rahul Kumar transferred days after foiling riot plot in Ratlam, booking Hindutva leaders
Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh): In a controversial development, IPS officer Rahul Kumar Lodha, who successfully prevented a communal riot in Ratlam on September 7 and booked 13 leaders from right-wing groups, was transferred within two days of the incident.
The attempted unrest began when right-wing groups in Ratlam spread rumors of stone-pelting on a Ganesh idol during a procession. In response, the group raised provocative slogans outside a police station, pelted stones at the police, and later targeted Muslim neighborhoods. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rahul Lodha acted to prevent the situation from escalating further, registering cases against 13 leaders involved in the incident, including several with criminal histories.
While the police were quick to intervene and control the situation, some members of the group who had participated in the Ganesh procession gathered at the police station, demanding that an FIR be registered. The mob became violent, vandalizing vehicles and shops in the Hathikhan area, prompting the police to use force to disperse them. Following this, the police registered a case against unidentified individuals, which included the name of Jalaj Sakhla, the district vice president of the BJP Yuva Morcha.
Hindu organizations, expressing dissatisfaction with the police action, submitted a memorandum protesting the booking of their leaders while criticizing the police for not identifying the alleged stone pelters. They warned of further agitation if the authorities failed to act against those responsible for the initial stone pelting within 24 hours.
Later that night, around midnight, in a sudden administrative reshuffle, SP Rahul Lodha was transferred from his post in Ratlam to SP Rail, Bhopal. Narsinghpur SP Amit Kumar was appointed as the new SP of Ratlam. Lodha’s transfer has sparked outrage among many citizens, with netizens praising his efforts to prevent communal violence and suggesting that his removal was politically motivated.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
