Bangalore: Delhi CM and AAP frontman Arvind Kejriwal’s latest dharna, an attempt to bring the police force under the control of the state government has drawn a mixed response.
Indian Institute of ManageÂment Bangalore faculty, Ashwin Mahesh, says he doesn’t oppose or endorse Arvind Kejriwal’s metÂhod of protest, for people have their own ways of achieving their goals.
The issue of making the police force accountable to the Urban Local Body is one that exists across the country, however. This is a strategy adopted by most developed nations, to ensure better security for its people.
“Let the union government have a separate police force, but it must not snatch policing from a state or local body,” opined Mahesh.
Vivek Menon, a member of AAP Bangalore, admitted that he was taken aback at Kejrwiwal’s decision.
“Now, I’m convined he’s doing the right thing. He has revolted against the union government controlling the long arm of the law. No doubt, the citizens of Delhi have suffered today, but it is a small price to pay in re-establishing democracy,” he said, adding.
“Even Mahathma Gandhi was an anarchist, when he protested in South Africa. All that Kejriwal has done is organize a peaceful protest demanding a fundamental right. We shouldn’t be myopic about this."
Urban expert A. Ravichander, said, “My immediate reaction was ‘OMG’! I don’t endorse what he did but I understand that the idea is strong. Basically, people are frustrated with the system. At our level, it seems shocking, but he is an unconventional guy, so we must expect unconventional things from him. And it’s what the people have chosen, anyway.”
The protest is much bigger than necessary, feels B.PAC member Mohandas Pai. “The Home Ministry and the government should hold a meeting and discuss the issue. Staging a dharna poses a lot of inconvenience and such methods must not be encouraged. The government’s job is to do away with problems, not cause them.”
The bottom line, however, is that every government must have the power to oversee and direct the police force, if they want to bring about effective governance.
A government must also be allowed to create a clean, professional, apolitical police force.
Both these objectives have been compromised in Delhi, with the police not accountable to the state or to anybody, for that matter. If the current situation continues, the law and order situation will only worsen.
‘AAP must protest, but not be a rabble rouser’
Captain GR Gopinath, founder, Air Deccan. He joined AAP recently
Arvind Kejriwal sitting on a ‘dharna’ demanding action against four junior police personnel is, say several leaders, the proverbial last straw. Here is my appeal as an ordinary AAP member to Arvind Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav, considered a sober member of AAP's think tank.
AAP as a political party can and must protest. Not the CM. He and his cabinet must govern from their office as there's a danger of being looked upon as a rabble-rouser which is against the spirit of the constitution and also could diminish the good will bestowed by people upon the party.
Asking the Delhi police to be under the Chief Minister is as bad as the force maintaining allegiance to the Home Minister.
The police force must enforce the law fairly and fearlessly. For that, they must be made independent and accountable as per the recommendations of 'police reforms'. There's interference with police and investigating agencies by all ruling parties in both the states and Centre. So how can bringing it under the CM of Delhi make any difference?
The series of missteps, blundering knee jerk policy pronouncements and flip flops, a rabid and reckless law minister rushing head long into policing has left well-wishers worried.
The party must now risk being labeled Luddite or anti-development, and pro- communist. It also runs the risk of losing the support of the educated middle class and the 'yuppie brigade' who catapulted it to power.
