Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday (July 12, 2026) clarified that the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Day meetings held on the second Sunday of every month at police units are meant for members of the SC/ST community from the public, and not for police officers or staff.

A statement by the Minister issued on Saturday (July 11, 2026), mistakenly said these meetings were meant for SC/ST police personnel. Mr. Kharge in a statement on Sunday (July 12, 2026) said that the statement had a “technical error”.

As per Standing Order dated November 17, 2015, these meetings are conducted at all police commissionerates, district police offices and police stations across the State to provide a platform for SC/ST citizens to directly present grievances related to law and order, atrocities, complaints and other police services before senior officers for prompt resolution.

The police said the earlier reference to “police officers and personnel” was incorrect and has now been rectified. The meetings are exclusively intended as a public outreach initiative to safeguard the rights and welfare of SC/ST citizens.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge has directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) to ensure that all police units strictly implement the original intent of the standing order by conducting these public grievance meetings on the second Sunday of every month and resolving issues raised by members of the SC/ST community at the earliest.