He has not done so, which indicates that he stands by that statement. Being a career policeman, it is surprising that the DGP would make a statement such as this. One of the first pieces of information that aspiring governent servants are taught is that they should keep well away from politics and political happenings. Stating he does not want to comment, the DGP went on to say, “…I can request the people (of Goa) these are National projects, State projects. The State and Centre are concerned of development of the entire nation.” He further said, “The Government of India must have done proper study before implementing these projects. When government takes up any project, there is proper procedure that is followed.”
The DGP’s statements have already been censured by civil society, primarily those movements opposing the double tracking, and also some political parties. The government, on the other hand, has remained absolutely silent on this ‘advice to the Goans’ by the DGP. Was the Director General of Police right in making the statement? The bureaucracy is expected to implement the policies and programmes of the government and not to act as public relations agents of the government. By his statement, the DGP is advising the people on a programme of the government in an area that is not his expertise, and that he should not have trod.
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There are a number of instances across India of bureaucrats quitting their jobs and entering the world of politics. The most recent case in Goa was that of Elvis Gomes who sought voluntary retirement and then plunged into electoral politics, losing both the elections he contested. His, however, is a different case as did not make any political statements during his tenure in the Goa civil service. The Director General of Police, advising Goans while in uniform is a different matter.
When the police chief of the State dabbles in politics, is it any surprise that crime increases? The past months have seen a gang war, a series of murders, the last being a double murder of two senior citizens in Siolim, online betting rackets and various other crimes. What has the Police Department been doing? The police chief, instead of giving his forces a pep talk, is advising Goans not to object to the double tracking of the railway, a project being opposed because it would lead to the increased transportation of coal through Goa, and also affect some of the heritage houses in the State.
The DGP and the police force must restrict to maintaining law and order. That is their duty, that is their task. After a statement such as this, can the police force be expected to perform their duties without bias against the protestors who are meeting every evening across Goa to hold awareness meetings on the topic? The police have already filed a FIR against a few protestors, will the investigation in this case that has been registered be impartial?
Bureaucrats – whether in uniform or out of it – must remain apolitical at all times during their careers. A proactive bureaucracy is always welcome, but their proactivness should benefit the people. Goans do not need the civil servant who advises them in matters that do not concern the bureaucrat. The people expect the police force to protect them and not give then unwarranted advice. The DGP’s statements came just days after a DySP in Davorlim had told the protestors that they would be booked and arrested under Section 353, and warned that once that happened they would not be able to go abroad. Instead of reaching out to the people after this statement, the DGP takes a very different route.
