Hyderabad: Ravinder, a home guard who set himself on fire in protest against the government’s failure to recognize them as government employees, has tragically passed away after three days of intensive treatment. His deteriorating health condition led to his demise on Friday morning while he was undergoing treatment at DRDO Apollo Hospital.
Three days ago, Ravinder resorted to self-immolation using petrol to urge the government to grant home guards permanent status. Suffering severe injuries, he was immediately rushed to the hospital for emergency medical attention. Sadly, doctors later confirmed his demise, and his body was shifted to Osmania Hospital, creating a tense atmosphere in the surrounding area.
Ravinder had been serving as a home guard in the local traffic PS and decided to take this extreme step due to not receiving his salary for the past two months and facing financial hardships.
Ravinder’s suicide attempt has triggered a movement among Telangana home guards who are demanding permanent employment status and equal treatment to that of the police force. The Home Guard Association Joint Action Committee (JAC) has initiated protest actions in response to Ravinder’s tragic incident, including a boycott of duties until September 16.
Several political parties have expressed their support for the home guards’ demand to attain permanent status. Telangana BJP President and Union Minister Kishan Reddy visited Ravinder during his hospitalization on Thursday, expressing his disappointment with Chief Minister KCR for not fulfilling promises made to home guards and highlighting the increasing exploitation of labor.
Kishan Reddy extended his condolences over Ravinder’s death, emphasizing that problems should be addressed through collective action rather than resorting to suicide. He strongly condemned the government’s handling of the situation, characterizing it as a grave injustice against the state’s employees.
