Dalit-Buddhist Deputy Collector Targeted for Differing Religious Faith?

Bhopal- In an exclusive conversation with The Mooknayak, Dalit Deputy Collector Nisha Bangre has made serious allegations against the government and the police administration. She stated that after her arrest, the police pressured her to sign a confession. When she refused to sign, the police sent her to jail even though the bail papers were ready. Nisha Bangre, who was released on bail on Tuesday night from Central Jail Bhopal after approximately 27 hours, is now questioning the police's conduct. She said that policemen misbehaved and pushed her at the Board Office intersection, ripped off her clothes, forced to get in the police vehicle.

In her interview with The Mooknayak, Nisha Bangre expressed her commitment to the ideologies of Baba Saheb and Lord Buddha. She emphasized her belief in humanism and a desire to unite people of all religions, which she believes is causing frustration among certain individuals.

Nisha added, "The BJP government's ideology is evident. They do not believe in the principles of Indian Constitution. They are preventing a strong woman like me from practicing religious inclusivity and following the path of Tathagat Buddha. I am now entering politics, following the path shown by Dr. Ambedkar. When I try to do so, they obstruct me from contesting elections. The BJP is losing in the Aamla Assembly seat, and I do not align with their radical ideology, which is why they are hindering my political aspirations."

Nisha Bangre also alleged that the police mistreated her while she was acting within the boundaries of the law. She sought permission from the police officers present to go to the CM House, but they refused and attempted to force her into a police vehicle. During the altercation, her clothes were torn by a policeman, and she was physically pushed by a male officer. Despite her request to meet with CM House officials and present her views after her arrest, the police seemed intent on sending her to jail.

With the upcoming assembly elections on November 17 in Madhya Pradesh, Nisha Bangre aims to run as a candidate. However, her resignation from her post has not been accepted by the government. She has filed a petition in the High Court Jabalpur, and it is scheduled to be heard on October 13. Nisha Bangre criticized the delay in accepting her resignation, stating that it should have been processed within a month as per the rules, but even after three months, no action was taken. When she raised concerns about this, she was arrested by CM Shivraj Singh's government through the police.

Upon her release from Bhopal Central Jail, Nisha met her three-year-old son, who was emotionally affected by her absence. Nisha's husband, Suresh Aggarwal, revealed that their son had been crying while missing her.

Denied Leave Request Leads to Confrontation

Nisha Bangre was posted as Deputy Collector at LuvKushnagar in Chhatarpur. She had applied for leave to participate in the International All Religion Peace Conference and the World Peace Prize Award Ceremony scheduled for June 25th in Amla, Betul. These events held special significance for her as a Buddhist practitioner. Additionally, she had an inaugural function planned for her new house on the same day.

On June 15, SK Sendre, Under Secretary (Personnel) of the department, denied her request for leave, citing MP Civil Services Conduct Rules. In response, Nisha Bangre penned her resignation letter on June 19, where she expressed deep disappointment at being denied permission. She emphasized that her religious sentiments were profoundly hurt by not being allowed to participate in the program, which involved the ashes of 'Tathagata Buddha,' considered an ambassador of world peace.

After tendering resignation, Nisha has been on child care leave. The government did not accept her resignation, prompting her to start a Nyaya Yatra from Aamla to Bhopal to have her resignation letter acknowledged. Along the way, she highlighted her rights, carrying the Constitution book, and walking on foot to Bhopal.

The incident unfolded when Deputy Collector Nisha Bangre had planned to commence a hunger strike in front of the Chief Minister's residence to press for the acceptance of her resignation. However, as she proceeded from the Board Office intersection on that Monday morning, a substantial contingent of police officers swiftly intervened. They made forceful attempts to usher her into a police vehicle against her will.

In her determination to reach the CM House, Nisha Bangre earnestly requested permission from the police officers present. Instead of granting her this permission, they insisted that she comply with their orders and board the police vehicle. In a show of defiance, Nisha, accompanied by her supporters, resorted to sitting on the road as a symbol of peaceful protest.

Amidst this tense confrontation, the photograph of Dr. Ambedkar that Nisha held dear was tragically shattered within her hands. To exacerbate matters, her supporters were unjustly detained and confined in police custody. As an additional affront, Nisha's clothing was torn during the ordeal, further underscoring the contentious nature of the encounter.

Nisha Bangre faced charges under Sections 151, 107, and 116 during the demonstration. While her supporters were released in the evening, the bail process for Nisha was not completed at the Police Commissioner's office, leading to her transfer to the Central Jail in Lalghati. The following day, her lawyer presented her bail in the Police Commissioner's Court on Tuesday afternoon. However, the police delayed the process in the evening, and she was eventually released from jail at around 8 pm.

Story Translated by Geetha Sunil Pillai

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