In a development that raises profound questions about institutional neutrality and the integrity of criminal investigations, the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has filed a detailed complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra and Superintendent of Police, Jalgaon, demanding urgent disciplinary action against police officials of Jamner Police Station, Jalgaon district, for publicly participating in a communal rally organised by Shiv Pratisthan Hindustan — the very outfit whose members are accused of lynching 20-year-old Suleman Pathan in August 2025.
The Larger Issue: Policing and prejudice
Beyond the specifics of the Suleman case, the incident reflects a larger institutional drift where sections of the police appear to blur the line between law enforcement and ideological alignment. Maharashtra has, in recent years, witnessed a sharp rise in hate speech and communal offences — second only to Uttar Pradesh, according to India Hate Lab’s 2025 report.
In this environment, the neutrality of the police is not just desirable; it is existential.
A single image of an investigating officer carrying a saffron flag can undo decades of trust built between citizens and the state.