Insensitive state.
The brutal lathi charge, tear gas and water cannons used against the peaceful demonstration by students and youth of Delhi ( Injustice League at Raisina Hill, DNA,23/12), who were demanding better security for women, by police makes one wonder whether we are a democratic state or a police state. It was a spontaneous demonstration in response to the heinous rape in a bus, by the young who are afraid of their own safety. It was not organized by any party or any student union. Surprisingly, rather not surprisingly, no minister, not even a police officer met them to hear what they have to say. And we call ourselves a democratic republic. This is not the first time that the police and the elected 'rulers' behaved this way. Once they are elected, politicians behave like old rajas or sultans. The police at the instance of ministers put many hurdles when Anna Hazare organised meeting to mobilize people against corruption. Worse thing happened when Swami Ramdev spoke against black money kept in foreign banks. He and his followers were lathi charged at midnight when they were sleeping.
The insensitive nature of the state is also revealed by the report, " When VIPs around, 5578 cops protect 1.3 cr citizens" (DNA,21/12). Mumbai has a police force of 33,998 while the sanctioned force is 41,401. If the elected politicians are really representatives of the people, why do they need so much security ? No wonder rapes and murder are increasing but the detection and conviction rate are falling. There is an urgent need to sensitize the politicians and the police about the safety and security of the citizens. Media, citizens, NGOs and the corporates have to take up this issue at every level.
December 23, 2012.
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The brutal lathi charge, tear gas and water cannons used against the peaceful demonstration by students and youth of Delhi ( Injustice League at Raisina Hill, DNA,23/12), who were demanding better security for women, by police makes one wonder whether we are a democratic state or a police state. It was a spontaneous demonstration in response to the heinous rape in a bus, by the young who are afraid of their own safety. It was not organized by any party or any student union. Surprisingly, rather not surprisingly, no minister, not even a police officer met them to hear what they have to say. And we call ourselves a democratic republic. This is not the first time that the police and the elected 'rulers' behaved this way. Once they are elected, politicians behave like old rajas or sultans. The police at the instance of ministers put many hurdles when Anna Hazare organised meeting to mobilize people against corruption. Worse thing happened when Swami Ramdev spoke against black money kept in foreign banks. He and his followers were lathi charged at midnight when they were sleeping.
The insensitive nature of the state is also revealed by the report, " When VIPs around, 5578 cops protect 1.3 cr citizens" (DNA,21/12). Mumbai has a police force of 33,998 while the sanctioned force is 41,401. If the elected politicians are really representatives of the people, why do they need so much security ? No wonder rapes and murder are increasing but the detection and conviction rate are falling. There is an urgent need to sensitize the politicians and the police about the safety and security of the citizens. Media, citizens, NGOs and the corporates have to take up this issue at every level.
December 23, 2012.
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