Priyank Kharge Clarifies SC and ST Grievance Meetings Are For Public

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday, July 12, 2026, clarified that the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) Day grievance meetings held across the state are meant for members of the public and not police personnel. The clarification corrects an erroneous statement issued by the minister's office the previous day.

The initial statement, released on Saturday, July 11, 2026, mistakenly claimed that these monthly meetings were designed for SC/ST police officers and staff. Home Minister Kharge explained on Sunday that the discrepancy was due to a "technical error" in the previous release.

Under a Standing Order dated November 17, 2015, these grievance meetings are scheduled to take place on the second Sunday of every month. They are conducted at all police commissionerates, district police offices, and police stations across Karnataka to provide a direct platform for SC/ST citizens.

Through these meetings, members of the SC/ST community can present grievances directly to senior police officers. The initiative aims to resolve issues related to law and order, atrocities, complaints, and other police services promptly.

The police department confirmed that the earlier reference to "police officers and personnel" was incorrect and has now been rectified. Officials reiterated that the meetings are exclusively intended as a public outreach initiative to safeguard the rights and welfare of SC/ST citizens.

To ensure proper execution, Home Minister Kharge has directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) to oversee all police units. The DG & IGP must ensure that units strictly implement the original intent of the 2015 standing order.

This directive requires all police units to conduct these public grievance meetings on the second Sunday of every month and work toward the swift resolution of all issues raised by the SC/ST community.