Haryana Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jitendra Rana has issued a public apology after a video surfaced showing him preventing BJP leader Manish Singla from entering a VVIP enclosure during the Drug-Free Haryana Cyclothon 2.0 event in Sirsa on Sunday. The event was attended by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as the chief guest.
Singla, son of former Odisha Governor and senior BJP leader Ganeshi Lal, was reportedly stopped by DSP Rana near the VIP stage at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium. Singla was there to support the campaign and was trying to enter the main stage when the DSP approached him and without verifying Singla’s identity, the officer allegedly asked him and another person to leave the area.
The incident sparked political criticism and social media outrage after footage showed the officer allegedly escorting Singla away without verifying his identity.
According to a statement released by the Sirsa district police PRO, DSP Rana, who was deployed from Jind district for the event, did not recognize Singla and asked him and another person to leave the restricted area. “There was no intention to hurt anyone’s dignity,” Rana said in his recorded apology, which was shared officially to the media by the Sirsa district police through official email from the PRO.
“Jind DSP Jitender Rana apologised to Manish Singla over an incident that went viral on social media during the cyclothone on Sunday. DSP Jitender Rana, who was on duty near the stage for maintaining law and order during the event, said Manish Singla had arrived at the venue and was standing near the cycle track. Rana explained that he failed to recognise Singla and, along with others, asked him to leave the VVIP stage area. The DSP clarified that there was no intention to hurt anyone’s dignity while performing his duty,” said the message.
“If my actions hurt the feelings of Manish Singla in any way, I sincerely apologise to him. I have great respect for Manish ji and his family,” the message further read that the DSP had added.
The situation was mediated by Sirsa SP Dr. Mayank Gupta, who called both parties to the PWD Rest House on Monday. Following the meeting, Singla accepted the apology, stating: “I had never met DSP Rana before. His explanation was satisfactory, and I hold no grudge.”
Despite initially downplaying the incident, the viral video drew reactions from several political leaders. BJP district president Yatinder Singh said Singla had not raised the matter during a post-event meeting with CM Saini and party president Mohan Lal Badoli. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the on-camera apology, calling it damaging to police morale.
The cyclothon, a key initiative under the state’s anti-drug campaign, began in Hisar on April 5 and concluded in Sirsa, drawing participation from more than 48,000 cyclists.
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