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Public backlash and internal party discomfort force reversal of controversial appointment
Thenewsdose.com
Chandigarh,July 28,3.50PM
Ten days after including his name in the list of newly appointed law officers, the Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana government has withdrawn the appointment of Vikas Barala, son of BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former state unit president Subhash Barala.
Vikas is facing trial in the 2017 high-profile stalking and attempted abduction case involving DJ Varnika Kundu, which triggered nationwide outrage at the time. His inclusion as Assistant Advocate General (AAG) had provoked criticism from Opposition leaders, women’s rights activists, and even some within the ruling party.
Quiet Reversal After Public Backlash
Sources in the Haryana Home Department confirmed the decision: “He is not joining. The decision to drop him from the list of Haryana law officers has been conveyed to him,” an official said.
Insiders disclosed that Subhash Barala himself advised the government to reconsider. “This was fast becoming politically embarrassing for us. The Chief Minister might not have had much say initially. Still, the appointment sent the wrong message, given our ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign,” said a senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity.
How the Appointment Happened
Vikas was among 97 law officers appointed in mid-July, following recommendations by a five-member selection panel headed by the state’s Advocate General. The appointments were approved by then Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, based on recruitment advertised earlier this year.
However, the appointment came under immediate fire after Varnika Kundu posted a scathing Instagram message questioning the state’s values and governance ethics. The post quickly went viral, drawing national media attention and sharp criticism from the Opposition.
BJP Split on Defence vs Damage Control
While some leaders defended the appointment, arguing that “pending cases cannot be held against someone until convicted,” others conceded that Vikas’s political lineage influenced the decision. “Such appointments impact public perception more than administrative efficiency. We were forced to choose damage control,” another BJP insider said.
The reversal, though belated, is being seen as an attempt by the Saini government to avoid further controversy ahead of upcoming political challenges, including farmer protests and administrative reshuffles.
