The image of a democracy is ironically determined by regional stereotypes. Non-conformist Berlin, conservative Munich, and cosmopolitan Frankfurt sum up Germany; Provence for food, Paris for the arts and fashion, and Marseilles for crime are defining faces of France.
India, for time immemorial, has been romanticised as the land of the maharajas. Rajasthan was the jewel in its crown. A more fitting label now would be Lynchistan. Yogi has used the Uttar Pradesh Police, reputedly infamously insensitive to powerless victims and opponents of the ruling party of the time, to curb the mafia, morality vigilantes and lynch mobs. His unambiguous message: No crime will be tolerated in my state. The contradiction is stunningly stark, going by the spate of lynchings in Rajasthan by cow vigilantes who beat to death innocent men.
It has gained notoriety for blatant partisanship. In another case, six men named as murderers in the dying declaration of mob victim Pehlu Khan have been exonerated. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, reacting to Opposition outrage to mob murder, said states are responsible for law and order. The people of India do not trust the highly politicised police. Some senior officers pander to their political masters for plum postings and hush money.
Cops, too, are drawn from the ranks of society. Today the Indian police system is largely casteist, communal and corrupt. A law against mob violence is in the making. It is shameful that in 21st century India, a law needs to be passed at all against lynchings. The time has come for Indians to police themselves. A new hashtag is needed. Download the TNIE app to stay with us and follow the latest. Ravi Shankar. Politicians and policemen are friends with benefits.
Non-conformist Berlin, conservative Munich, and cosmopolitan Frankfurt sum up Germany; Provence for food, Paris for the arts. Updated on: 29 Jul , am. Show Comments. Related Stories. No stories found. The New Indian Express.
