Karnataka Police clarifies SC/ST grievance meetings for public, not police personnel

Home Minister Priyank Kharge has directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) to ensure that all police units strictly implement the original intent of the Standing Order by holding these public grievance meetings every second Sunday of the month and address the issues raised by members of the SC/ST community at the earliest. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday (July 12, 2026) clarified that the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Day meetings held on the second Sunday of every month at police stations are for members of the SC/ST community from the public and not for police officers or staff.

The minister’s statement issued on Saturday (July 11, 2026) erroneously stated that these meetings were meant for SC/ST police personnel. In a statement on Sunday (July 12, 2026), Mr Kharge said the statement contained a “technical error”.

According to a standing order dated 17 November 2015, these meetings are being held at all police commissions, district police offices and police stations across the state to provide a platform to SC/ST citizens to directly present grievances related to law and order, atrocities, complaints and other police services before senior officers for speedy resolution.

Police said an earlier reference to “officers and staff” was incorrect and has now been corrected. The meetings are exclusively intended as a public information initiative to protect the rights and welfare of SC/ST citizens.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge has directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) to ensure that all police units strictly implement the original intent of the Standing Order by holding these public grievance meetings every second Sunday of the month and address the issues raised by members of the SC/ST community at the earliest.

Published – 12 Jul 2026 13:29 IST