However he is exposed to countless temptations and dangers, condemned while he enforces the law, and dismissed when he does not. He is expected to possess the qualifications of a soldier, doctor, lawyer, diplomat, and educator with living conditions and remuneration less than that of a daily labourer. The police, an indispensable part of rule of law in a democracy, must basically be capable of providing an uncompromising safe and secure environment for the people, and not be like caged parrots, corrupt, indulging in human rights violations, torture, unprovoked firing, extra judicial killings, allow misuse by politicians and practicing discrimination. The minorities, Dalits, tribals and poor sections of society from bitter experience, distrust police the most. A complete revamp, right from recruitment, training and modernization is the most urgent need today!
The central government influence on the Delhi police Commissioner’s attitude during the JNU students agitation, on the AAP government and dirty politics resulting stares us in the face. Surely India will burn if saner elements cannot dowse theories of conspiracies, sedition, anti nationalism and curb rising Hindu communalism. Even Anupam Kher is in favor of evicting combative Yogis and Sadhvis from the party! It was frightening to see on television passions of the ABVP (student’s wing of the RSS) and lawyers even in court, beating up the protesting JNU student leader, teachers and also journalists covering the situation whilst the police stood by! Surprisingly police do not arrest or deter the lawyers and a leading BJP MLA, all behaving like goons inside and outside the court. Due police and high handed authoritarian interference, this matter has now boomeranged into an all India student’s agitation. The PM and the Sangh Parivar maybe happy with Smithi Irani’s chest thumping histrionics in Parliament backing the AVBP and the police version (proved wrong) and now the courts are to decide what is the truth.
It is also reported that during the Jat rampaging riots for reserved quota, where vehicles and buildings were torched, shops and stores looted, women were allegedly gang raped whilst police stood by. Reportedly all witnesses and victims have been threatened and are terrified to come forward and complain. No action is thereafter taken by police due lack of witnesses or complaint! People in general do not trust the police who go by the colonial Indian Penal Code which our President has recently strongly suggested needs thorough revision for today’s India. Even 69 years after Independence caste bias and religious intolerance is dominant. The arrest of Dalit JNU student Kanhaiya charged with sedition and suicide of Rohit Vemula from Hyderabad Central University shows educational Institutions in India are being effectively infiltrated by right wing zealots. Sobriety, fearless discussion and harmony are being replaced with prejudice, centralized despotism, abuse, hate, lies and discord. Indianess cannot be defined by majority culture, ambitions and aspirations. The USP of India is unity in diversity. RSS alleges anti-nationalism of faculty and students in “dens” of JNU and Hyderabad University for the BJP government to curtail! The courts and panels appointed can only go as per the government affidavits which maybe biased due manipulated appointments and investigative agencies and police reports!
Retired super cop Julio Riberio says ”Politicians are bothered about their votes and power struggles. Policemen are supposed to bother about the law and the Constitution. As long as politicians dictate the terms of service of IPS officers, they know their goose is cooked if they do not toe political lines”. There is therefore great need to enforce accountability and clear separation of the police from the political class! The Indian police system was created by the British rulers with the brutal Indian Police Act 1861 which was perhaps needed then but is still a guide for the present police force! There have been many police commission reports since, especially after the widespread excesses during the emergency government of Indira Gandhi, whose recommendations have been mostly shelved!
Two former DGPs Prakash Singh and NK Singh with NGO Common Cause filed a PIL in the Supreme Court which delved in depth over a period of ten years into this matter and in September 2006 laid down seven directives to States to kick start police reforms. Briefly 1) Constitution of State Security Commission 2) Transparency in appointment of DGP 3) Fixed tenures for SPs and SHOs 4) Separation of functions of Investigation and Law and Order 5) A Police Establishment Board 6) A Police Complaint Authority 7) A National Security Commission. The Justice KT Thomas Monitoring Committee informed the Supreme Court in August 2010 that practically no State has complied in letter and spirit! Present status is only 15 States (Goa not included) have drafted new laws, mostly circumventing the directives of the Apex Court! Both the Central and State governments have failed to show any urgency for required police reforms.
All the Prime Minister’s good work will come to naught if he does not rise as a world statesman to reign in this bossy government, rising mob violence, communal divide, religious intolerance, attack on democratic values in India and sternly sponsor urgent modern police reforms which will strengthen Constitutional justice that is the need of the hour!
(The author is a retired naval officer resident in Porvorim.)
