NEW DELHI: Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda has sharply criticized the recently launched Haryana Police constable transfer portal, which reportedly asks candidates to specify their caste upfront.
In a statement shared via social media, Hooda warned that such steps risk dragging the state “further into the pit of caste and religion,” and vowed to fight to protect Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution.
हरियाणा पुलिस कांस्टेबल ट्रांसफर का पोर्टल खोला गया है जिसमे सबसे पहले जाती पूछी जा रही है। यानी जाती पूछ कर पोस्टिंग की लिस्ट बनेगी। प्रदेश को और कितना जाती-धर्म की गर्त में ले कर जाएगी बीजेपी?
लड़ेंगे भिड़ेंगे लेकिन बाबा साहेब के संविधान की यूँ धज्जियाँ नहीं उड़ने देंगे। pic.twitter.com/CFirAqzFCS
— Deepender Singh Hooda (@DeependerSHooda) August 28, 2025
While the portal screenshot shared by Hooda shows a form field where candidates must select their caste before proceeding, there’s no official confirmation from the Haryana government or police department about this being an official policy change.
Background & Policy Context
Earlier in May 2025, the Haryana government rolled out a Model Online Transfer Policy for state employees.
It emphasized a merit-based mechanism, factoring in age (60 marks) and considerations such as medical needs or spouse employment (up to 20 marks).
Notably, caste was not mentioned among the criteria. This suggests that the portal’s caste field might be an anomaly, or limited to specific recruitments, and not a broader institutional requirement.
Hooda’s Stand
Hooda’s condemnation adds to mounting concerns among opposition leaders and civil society on the politicization of administrative processes. He framed the demand for caste as a regression from constitutional ideals and pledged to challenge it decisively.
