Gandhinagar, April 27 (IANS) The Gujarat chapter of the Indian Police Service (IPS) Association on Monday submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission, seeking action against AAP MLA Gopal Italia over remarks made in a recent social media broadcast, which it termed “abusive, derogatory and defamatory” towards the police force and election authorities.
The submission follows a Facebook Live video streamed by Italia on April 26, which later circulated widely across social media platforms.
In the memorandum, the Association stated that the MLA used “highly inflammatory language” while referring to senior police officers and personnel.
It described the remarks as a “personal affront” to members of the force and a “calculated attempt to incite public distrust” in both the police and the election machinery during an ongoing election period.
The memorandum, signed by president Gyanender Singh Malik, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, and secretary Nipuna M Torawane, stated that while criticism of public institutions is a legitimate aspect of democratic functioning, “character assassination is unacceptable”.
It noted that police personnel operate under challenging conditions and are tasked with ensuring law and order and providing security to all citizens impartially, particularly during elections.
Accounts of the broadcast indicate that Italia also questioned the functioning and neutrality of sections of the police and the election authorities, alleging bias in the handling of political activities and enforcement actions.
The Association said such statements risk eroding public confidence in institutions responsible for conducting free and fair elections.
Calling the remarks a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Association urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the MLA, stating that “such steps are necessary to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and to maintain the morale of officials engaged in election duties”.
Copies of the memorandum have also been forwarded to the Principal Secretary, Home Department, and the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Gujarat.
–IANS
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