Police as an Instrument of Social Change

“Police as an instrument of Social Change”

By

J.L.Gupta

Police in India is almost as old as our civilization. It has been said, “In Mahabharata and Ramayana there are references to the existence of police administration. The great law giver Manu had also recommended that the police” jobs “should be entrusted to only persons with local knowledge of people and regions …” In the Gupta, Chola and Moghul periods, the police looked after law and order. Centuries have passed. The basic duty of the ‘Droga’ has not changed. If at all, the responsibility has increased.

Today, the police discharge thankless duties. It looks after the people and their problems. In difficult conditions. Despite interference from different quarters. Without enough facilities. Every ‘path that a policeman takes has a puddle. Be it the agitating employees, the labour or the leaders, the students or the terrorists, the police faces the wrath. Everywhere it gets the bricks and bullets.’ No bouquets. And invariably, at the end of each incident, there is a demand for judicial enquiry. No pat from anyone. Only persecution. From everyone.

Still the people criticize the police. We call it - “An organized gang.” We proclaim that it has no “License to kill.” We declare that the “Police needs a paradigm-shift.” The cant of criticism is continuous. The ‘citizen and the criminal, the judge and the judged, the press and the politician, the rogue and the reformist denounce the police.’ Whole-heartedly. In one voice.

The criticism is natural. The teacher who demanded discipline was never popular. The cop who is charged with the duty to enforce law and order can have no reason to be an optimist. And then making complaints is a national pastime. Nobody can help that. In fact, a man can give only what he has. Nothing more. It is a matter of satisfaction that despite the criticism and difficulties the force has continued to function. Normally, with a fair degree of objectivity.

Today, we live in era when the whole human Society faces a devaluation of values. Crude criminality. Lack of morality. Spiritual impoverishment. A Social collapse. Whatever be the cause for this degradation, we are all a part of this social system. Every one of us is a product of the society that we live in. When ‘the wood is crooked, the furniture cannot be straight.’ When the society is sick, a section alone cannot be free from the symptoms. In the prevailing environment, it would be unfair to expect the police force to be an epitome of values and to stand alone as an island.

And then no one who is discharging such an onerous job can please everyone. Such an attempt shall spell a formula for failure. No human being can be perfect. In fact, perfection is still an enigma. A few aberrations shall occur everywhere. But a few black sheep cannot blacken the whole service. Nor can a few individual errors justify a generalization.

The society needs police. To spy on the deviants and to help the innocent. Whatever be the form of government, the police have a role to play. An authoritarian state uses and abuses the police power to augment its authority. To suppress dissent. In a democracy, the police have to ensure safety of the individual’s person and property. His freedom of expression. The democratic rights of the citizen.  Sometimes, the ‘line that divides the two forms of government may be very ‘thin’. An apparently democratic government may actually attempt to be utterly autocratic. The police have to stand as a guard between the citizen and the state. It is under a duty to protect, preserve and respect the rights of the citizen.

In a society governed by the rule of law, the role of the police is especially important. The car driver does not see the red light till there is a cop. No body observes any speed limit when there is no patrol car. The burglar shall be kept at bay, even if there is a retired old man in uniform. The police are an essential force to maintain law and order. To save man from another man and his vagaries. To induce a sense of security in the minds of men.

Some people complain of corruption. Even of unwarranted harassment at the hands of the police. The complaints are not unfounded. But we, in India, have not known self-governance for a long time. In fact, for centuries. Today, when we are in our formative years, we are facing a few teething problems. In the initial stages, development creates disparities. Population, poverty and progress pose new problems. Create new tensions. Till the society finds solutions, the people and the police have to bear with the problems. With time these should pass.

Police plays an important role in the Criminal justice delivery system. It is responsible for the investigation of cases. Its credibility is essential. Its independence imperative. To keep the criminal under control. To ensure that, the innocent do not suffer, the sword of justice falls on the guilty alone

Police has difficulties. But let us remember the Arabian proverb, which says – “All sunshine makes the desert.” Snow and storm are essential for growth. For becoming tougher. The hottest furnace produces the brightest steel. Harsh winds only help the man to fly higher. Struggle gives strength and makes a man stronger. Difficulties do to the mind what exercise does to the muscle. So, let us not allow the difficulties to defeat us. Carry on the fight. And it is not enough to merely succeed. The critics must fail. They have to be silenced.

In any case, no one can stop doing his duty. Not merely for fear of being criticized. The duty has to be performed. Like debt, it must be discharged. Without delay or demur. And then, it must be remembered that a ‘person’s weakness is the sole strength of his critic.’ We need to overcome the weakness.

The man in uniform is a symbol of state’s authority.  Vested with the power to enforce the laws. To deprive a person of his liberty. Sometimes, even life. This is undeniably a tremendous responsibility.

Thus, we must awaken. The men in uniform have to arise. Make a diligent effort. With dignity and devotion.  Exercise the personal potential. Pursue. Seek. Search. Put together the attachments, affections, emotions, love and the sentiments. Concentrate on one goal. Create confidence in the minds of men that the police seek to serve. Destroy all the doubts that exist. Be friends whom nobody shall fear. Let only the actions speak.

The task is not easy. It shall take time to accomplish. Make a continuing, keen and unremitting effort. Make an inner inquiry. Your efforts shall bear fruit. The crime and criminal shall be conquered. The police shall then become an instrument of social change.