Chandigarh, July 27: A Punjab BJP delegation led by the party’s National President of the Central Valmiki Sabha India, Gejja Ram Valmiki, on Monday met the Governor of Punjab and submitted a memorandum seeking justice for sanitation workers who were cane-charged by police during a protest in Barnala town.

In the memorandum, Valmiki, a former Chairman of the Punjab Safai Karamchari Commission, said the peaceful protest by ‘safai karamcharis’, demanding legitimate rights, was met with a brutal and unprovoked assault by DSP Satvir Singh Bains and Station House Officer (SHO) Lakhwinder Singh on July 22.

He alleged that the incident reflected misuse of official authority and demanded strict action against the guilty officers.

The delegation urged the Governor to ensure the dismissal of both DSP Bains and SHO Lakhwinder Singh, asserting that their suspension alone cannot be considered justice.

They also demanded the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against both officers under the relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and on the basis of the victims’ Medico Legal Reports (MLRs).

The memorandum further sought the Governor’s intervention to ensure that the long-pending and legitimate demands of the sanitation workers are addressed without further delay.

The delegation expressed hope that constitutional authorities would act swiftly to ensure justice, accountability, and protection of the rights and dignity of the affected workers.

The police action had triggered widespread protests with several organisations, including BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), condemning the use of force and demanding legal action against the DSP.

Last week, the state government suspended DSP Bains after National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) Vice‑Chairperson Hardeep Singh Gill took suo motu cognisance of the incident and directed the government to submit a factual report within seven days.

In his communication to the Punjab Chief Secretary, Gill noted that media reports had raised serious allegations of police action against sanitation workers protesting in Barnala.

He had emphasised that safeguarding the rights, dignity and security of ‘safai karamcharis’ is a constitutional responsibility of the government and that any alleged violation of their rights must be examined with utmost seriousness.

The commission had directed the Chief Secretary to ensure a fair and transparent enquiry, obtain a detailed report from the Director General of Police (DGP), and submit the findings to the commission within the stipulated time. It also sought an examination of the role of the senior police officers concerned.

New Delhi, July 27: The Congress party on Monday criticised the welcome given to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by his fellow BJP MPs on Parliament premises, calling the developments “shameful”.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications, took to social media to question whether the BJP considered Pradhan’s work commendable.

“Today, BJP MPs are welcoming former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as if he has achieved some great feat. The country has already seen how, instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation, Pradhan accused the students themselves of being misled, and after that, all central ministers praised him on social media. We believe that this entire episode is utterly shameful and a grave insult to the country’s youth,” he said.

“The BJP should make it clear whether, despite the paper leaks, the crumbling education system, the lathi charges on students, and the firing of pellet guns, Pradhan’s work was commendable?” asked the Congress MP.

“If not, then what is this honour for? And if yes, then does the BJP want to send this very message to the country’s youth and students? The country demands answers,” said Ramesh.

Earlier, Pradhan’s arrival at Parliament triggered spontaneous slogan-shouting by his fellow BJP and NDA MPs. As the former Education Minister stepped out of his car, with folded hands, cries of “Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad” rent the air.

There were celebratory scenes around Pradhan as one of the MPs presented him with a traditional headgear and placed a shawl on his shoulders.

Pradhan had stepped down as the Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protest by a social media-driven movement, Cockroach Janta Party, and supporting groups over NEET irregularities.

The CJP concluded its protest soon after Pradhan’s exit from the Union Cabinet.

Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, took over the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry following the resignation of Pradhan.

Amaravati, July 27: A Class 10 student, who had shared the dais with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu during a Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting at a government school in Polavaram district just three days ago, has died by suicide on Monday.

Murram Shivani, who sat next to the Chief Minister and spoke during the MPTM 4.0 at Zilla Parishad High School in Rampachodavaram, hanged herself at her grandmother’s house in Irlapalli village.

The girl left behind a handwritten suicide note, apologising to her parents for failing to fulfil their dreams. The reason for her extreme step was not known.

The girl’s parents work at a hotel in Korukonda while she was staying with her grandmother and was studying at Government High School, Rampachodavaram.

Police registered a case and took up investigation.

Shivani, who was said to be active in studies, had attracted the attention of all with her speech at MPTM 4.0 in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. She had expressed her wish to work hard and win the Shining Star Award next year.

After her speech, the Chief Minister had called her and made her sit next to her. He also had a chat with her.

Chief Minister Naidu said he was deeply saddened by the passing away of Murram Shivani.

He ordered officials to conduct a thorough investigation into Shivani’s death.

“It is distressing that Shivani, who had spoken so enthusiastically on stage during the mega parent-teacher meeting in Rampachodavaram, has taken her own life. I recall the words she shared with me that day about her studies and her high aspirations,” the Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X’.

“It is heartbreaking to see a tribal girl with such a promising future lose her life in this manner. Regardless of the underlying reasons, the fact that she is gone before realizing her dreams deeply troubles me,” he said.

“Students and the youth must stand strong in the face of challenges and hardships. I urge everyone not to succumb to pressure, despair, or hopelessness. There is a solution to every problem. Please share your pain and distress with your family, friends, and loved ones. Overcome the pressure and move forward to make your dreams a reality. I want to assure you that the government stands by you in every way,” added the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister and Education Minister Nara Lokesh attended the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (MPTM) at Zilla Parishad High School at Rampachodavaram on July 24. They interacted with students, parents and teachers. They also had lunch with the students.

The state government has been organising MPTM at government schools across the state to unite parents, teachers and communities for better student progress.