‘I can’t shake off my conviction’: IPS Roopa officer on Twitter’s war with True Indology

Karnataka IPS officer D Roopa issued a response to the controversy over the war of words with a Twitter user calling himself ‘True Indology’ on whether the firecrackers are Indian or not. On Twitter, Roopa said: “For all those who probe my silence, well, there is life beyond Twitter, the real world, with a real job, real responsibilities. They may deceive me, abuse me, accuse me, because they have long enough to do just that, but I can’t shake off my conviction and commitment to duty and the law of the land [sic]. “

The fight between the two started when Roopa questioned the need to set off firecrackers during Deepavali celebrations and also saw the suspension of the True Indology account, which has upset right-wing supporters on Twitter. It is unclear why the account, a staunch defender of Hindutva, was suspended and who filed a complaint against it.

D Roopa, the interior minister of the Karnataka government, wrote a Facebook post on November 14 asking why people have problems with the ban on firecrackers and that she is “horrified” to see that “some highly educated, intellectual and respectable people mock the crowd “for violating the rules on banning firecrackers. She later shared the post on Twitter where users questioned her about the customs of other religions.

For all those who probe my silence, well, there is life beyond Twitter, the real world, with real work, real responsibilities. They may deceive me, abuse me, accuse me, as they have enough time to do just that, but they cannot take away my conviction and commitment to the duty and law of the land. Jai hind

– D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) November 18, 2020

To spread information about a government order, a decision made at the highest level (not my opinion / personal order), you try to silence an official. For what? Do you expect me to tell you not to follow the government’s order? Sorry folks, that’s not going to happen.

– D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) November 18, 2020

A lengthy discussion ensued, and in the end, the True Indology profile was suspended. They then hung up several mangos from the right in support of True Indology, including actor Kangana Ranaut. #BringBackTrueIndology started trending on Twitter Wednesday morning and also #ShameonRoopaIPS.

However, Roopa did not offer an answer until later in the evening when he said that there is life beyond Twitter and that people have “real responsibilities.”

IPS Officer D Roopa was previously appointed Deputy Inspector General of Prisons. He also served as a Police Superintendent (SP) in Dharwad, Gadag, Bidar and Yadgir district, before moving to Bengaluru.