Rajasthan Police refuses guard of honour to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, more than 250 policemen go on mass leave

Over 250 policemen of the Rajasthan government went on a mass leave on Monday and some of them who were supposed to give guard of honour to Home Minister Rajnath Singh refused to do so. The constabulary went on leave after rumours occurred that a government order would reduce their pay scales. Jodhpur Police commissioner Ashok Rathod said that it was not a sanctioned leave and the policemen who were part of the guard of honour had to be replaced with other cops.

He further said that it was a serious issue and action would be taken against guilty policemen.Rajasthan DGP Ajit Singh said that indiscipline in any form would not be condoned.

The state constabulary has been protesting against rumours that their pay scale grades would be reduced from the existing Rs 24,000 to the proposed Rs 19,000 per month. 

This followed a WhatsApp message which went viral among groups of constables. The protest ahead of Diwali has left the government in a tight spot as this would mean reduction in police deployment in sensitive areas.

The DGP issued a letter on Monday evening to district superintendents of police and inspector generals, while asking them to speak to the protesting constables and dispel pay rumours.