The unfortunate episode which has come to be known as “Snoopgate” — the alleged secret tailing of a young woman architect by the Gujarat police not only within the state but across several states — leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If the allegation has the least validity, it is clear that the powers of the state have been exceeded beyond measure to encroach on a citizen’s private space.
The reasons for this can only be guessed at. It is unthinkable that such a sweeping and ignoble development could have occurred without the go-ahead of the highest levels of the state government. If, as alleged, the spying or snooping on the said woman outside Gujarat was done with the knowledge or connivance of other state governments within whose jurisdictions the Gujarat police is alleged to have operated (clandestinely or otherwise), then the sorry episode appears even more ominous.
It is doubtful any democratic jurisdiction in the world would have tolerated such perversity. It is a pity that this matter ended up acquiring a political hue from the time the first outlines of the allegation began to surface through the online media, and was cast in a BJP-versus-Congress light.
Since the names of high-profile individuals were being mentioned — at times sotto voce — the mainline media reported what various interested parties said but made little effort to assess and evaluate the merits of the serious allegation. Civil society organisations also appeared to show only limited interest in this matter. With national elections approaching, various political parties too held their hand as they sought to keep channels open with one or the other national party.
Last December, the Union Cabinet took the decision to appoint a commission of inquiry. But it was unable to take any meaningful step to constitute such a commission. When the government has woken up now to rev up its act, it has quite justifiably been advised by UPA constituents such as the NCP and National Conference to exercise caution and not follow up on the Cabinet decision.
At this late hour, when the Lok Sabha election results will be known in less than a fortnight, implementing the earlier decision — or “commitment”, as a Congress spokesperson has foolishly claimed — appears vengeful. The government should officially announce that no judge is being appointed to head a commission of inquiry.
More than anything else, in this regard the Manmohan Singh government — in its fading moments — needs to make allowance for common sense and political propriety. If the gross act of trailing a woman over a long period of time is not explained satisfactorily in times to come, Indian democracy would be looked at askance by the world community, whatever the colour of the next dispensation in Delhi.
