DailyPost 2882
POLITICAL POLICING
The recent rape and murder of the a Kolkata medico has again thrown the spotlight on the nature of policing and governance happening in most parts of the country. A step further, what do you make out of the nature of investigation done in this case, till the time it was handed over to the CBI, as per the directions of the Kolkata high court. The capability of the police to rise to the occasion and deliver what is expected out of them, without fear or favor, with at least some level of acceptable professionalism is in serious question. Whether they handle an expected onslaught or complex investigation at the state level?
To top it all, whether intelligence can completely fail in an evolving situation as was in Kolkata given the nature of vandalism that took place on 14th / 15th August 2024 night. Ironically it became the tryst with destiny at the stroke of the midnight hour. How helpless can a police and prosecution become in defending itself in the High Court and finally be forced to digest judicial remarks which can be termed as a mortal blow to police’s self-esteem. I presume it was existent.
One is not aware of the fact as to how much security and investigation competence the political bosses have to direct the police and that to with the conviction they do. Even more precarious is the fact as to how much professionalism, objectivity, scientific and empirical approach is practiced in every facet of police functioning? Does political agenda also get mixed with policing? The police is the strong arm of the state, and hence how strong the political class needs to be morally and otherwise, not to use it to their advantage. There is a broken communication between police top brass and the media, if any, the batting is done by spokespersons and politicians, even not necessarily those in charge of the concerned departments or actions.
Welcome to the world of political policing. By now it has been perfected as a modern democratic tool meant for the nemesis of the masses, degradation of morale and professionalism of the force, to strike at the very base of the unitary nature of command, allow for full play of mediocrity and finally to create a smokescreen for merit, transparency, responsibility and accountability. Both the parties have played ball. West Bengal has been one of famed models in this regard, not to say that the rest of the country is far behind. We live in an age of cut-throat political policing all across the country. We can just watch with remorse the current sordid saga fanning out of Kolkata. The fate of 7 directives given by the Supreme Court in Prakash Singh Case of 2006 speaks it all, 18 years after the judgement.
LAW IS AS GOOD AS THE ENFORCERS; CREDIBILITY AND DELIVERABLE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE ARE THE KEY.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.