India, Oct. 10 -- The alleged suicide by senior Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar has the potential to echo far beyond the boundaries of Chandigarh and Haryana. His nine-page note - alleging caste-based harassment, public humiliation, and systemic discrimination - has hit a raw nerve and with Bihar heading into elections, the political tremors may be felt there as well.

With its deeply entrenched caste structure, Bihar is highly sensitive to such events. Dalits make up around 16% of the state's population, and their votes often determine the outcome of closely contested seats. Puran Kumar represented a success story in a system still skewed against marginalised communities, and BJP's rivals are now calling his death and the circumstance...