Police in the West are unbiased, while the Indian Police are biased

1. Britain’s righteous and fair Police force

The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was fined 100 Pounds (Rs 10,000) by the British Police for not strapping his seat belt, even though he was not driving but was in the rear seat. A video on social media went viral showing him without a seat belt. The British Police acted suo-moto on the basis of this video. Earlier during the Corona pandemic, when social distancing and a ban on large crowds were enforced, the British Police fined the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson for hosting a party. The British Police should be commended for following the ideal that all are equal in the eyes of the Law. Hence, they are considered to be the best Police force in the World.

2. The FBI raids the residence of the American President

The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) raided and searched the residence of Joe Biden, the President of USA on 22^nd January 2023. This investigation continued for about 13 hours. Joe Biden and his wife were not present. The FBI said that the secret documents which were with Joe Biden when he was the Vice President or Senator, had not been returned by him. There was a possibility that they could also contain some objectionable material.

3. Indian Police officer Kiran Bedi, an Officer with integrity

What is the situation in India today ? Is the Law the same for everyone ? There is one example. After 1973, Indira Gandhi took control of the Administration and Judiciary when she imposed Emergency in the country. In 1982, Kiran Bedi (Deputy Commissioner of New Delhi Police) took action against Indira Gandhi, whose car was parked in a no-parking zone near the Minto Bridge. Kiran Bedi, an officer with integrity, fined Indira Gandhi’s driver for parking in the no-parking zone. This is very commendable. However, the number of such incidents and officers is very few. Let us see how the majority of our Policemen administer and maintain Law.

4. The biased behaviour of the Indian Police

4A. Ignore traffic rules in areas where religious fanatics live : Traffic signals are installed for easy flow of traffic in our country. It is expected that the traffic stops at a red light. But is this being followed by the religious fanatics ? In Hindu majority areas, it is seen that signals are on, and the Police enforce traffic rules and fine those found breaking the rules. But they are not seen doing this in Muslim-dominated areas. There are Government offices, businesses and hospitals in areas where religious fanatics live. It is often seen that the traffic lights are not working nor is the Police there to regulate the traffic. Is there uniformity in Police work ?

4B. Police’s cooperative behaviour with the religious fanatics during the Covid lock-down : A lock-down had been declared country-wide during the Covid pandemic. In the Hindu-majority areas, the people were allowed a few minutes leeway to buy essentials while observing social distancing norms. As the situation improved, it was increased to a few hours. Was the situation the same in the areas inhabited by religious fanatics ? While in Hindu-dominant areas, shops, restaurants, grocers and vendors were closed after a few hours, in the areas inhabited by religious fanatics, shops and restaurants were open till 2 a.m. Is this disparity acceptable to the Police, Law and Administration ? If yes, then why display the motto – ‘All are equal in the eyes of the Law’ ?

5. The difference noticed between politicians in western countries and India

Penalising the British Prime Minister and the 13-hour raid and confiscation of files from America’s President Joe Biden’s home are important incidents. Even so, we did not hear of any political agitations about these. Whereas, we have seen what happens in India when an Indian politician is being investigated or arrested. He calls the Press, and his supporters create confusion and sometimes a Law and order issue. This makes us realise the Indian Administration’s sloppiness. We can also see how cooperative the American and British politicians are with their Administrative and Investigation agencies.

6. The Indian Police’s supplication to religious fanatics and kowtoing to politicians

The Police and Administration’s unbiased approach can be seen during riots. When the religious fanatics attack the Hindus, the Police and Administration arrest a few to show that they are taking action. To show their neutrality they arrest a few Hindus too. Other than this, the Police never demonstrate that ‘All are equal in the eyes of the Law’. For this, politicians of all parties and the Police are responsible.

They tremble when they see the religious fanatics. Aside from this, all the Police Stations and Police officers of India are of world-class mettle. But for this, they will have to stop appeasing the religious fanatics and kowtowing to the Politicians. If this happens, then only will every Police station and Police personnel receive world recognition.

II Shrikrushnarpanamastu II

– H.H. (Advocate) Suresh Kulkarni, Bombay High Court (22.1.2023)