- Amid growing communal violence perpetrated by the opposing religious groups during the festivities of late must have caused a sure disconcert to the governments as well as political class alike. And, not to forget the common citizens. Such disturbances imbalance the society’s harmonious existence in more than one way is stating the obvious. As such, the need of the hour is to ensure every community feels safe, secure, and assured as per the Constitutionally mandated rights. Eventually, the law of the land should prevail without any bias vis-à-vis caste, class, creed, religion, and other associated paraphernalia.
PC: SNS
- Against this backdrop, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive to the state police makes an interesting but pragmatic decision-making move worthy of emulation by other states. The directive states that prior permissions must be mandatory for any processions underscoring the need for smarter policing amid rising communal tensions witnessed across the country. Of course, Adityanath’s directive is an important political signal to directionless cops amid violent incidents reported from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Further, he has also asked local cops to seek mandatory affidavits from procession organizers pledging they will maintain peace and harmony, and initiate dialogue with influential local citizens and religious leaders. Needless to mention, strong police regulation of processions can effectively nip communal mischief in the bud. As you are aware, the Hanuman Jayanti procession in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri during which rioting occurred reportedly didn’t have police permission. No surprises there. Also, it is noticed that police forces everywhere allow weapon-bearing processions to proceed, a big mistake.
PC: BISMEE TASKIN
- Mind you, police personnel failing to uphold powers given to them to maintain public order only serves to embolden mobs. Note that the Delhi Police Act clearly empowers an inspector-rank officer to specify how members of a procession must conduct themselves. Proper enforcement is the issue here, you see. Ultimately, cops end up at the receiving end as had happened in Jahangirpuri most often than not resulting in injuries. Agreed, policing is an unenviable task, even at the best of times. Also, true that police forces in India are understaffed and overworked, require better training, and are in dire need of structural reforms. Nonetheless, the accepted truth about communal riots in India is that they are allowed to happen.
- We know how anti-social elements rear their head when the police are hobbled by dangerous political signalling. Thus, Adityanath’s directive to police to give permission only to those processions that are traditional and reject new/unnecessary events is important in today’s context where a violent, hate-spewing fringe is trying to dictate terms to the state and upsetting communal harmony and public order by hijacking random religious events, symbols, and sites. We know how religious fundamentalism in our neighboring countries serves a cautionary note to not tread the forbidden path. Citizens should not lose faith in policing as the rule of the law that keeps individuals, communities, businesses, and livelihoods safe.
