Opinion: BESIDES law, we need to change temperament of police system

On the Delhi brutal rape crime, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Home Minister had admitted that there are some weaknesses in the system.  But the question is as why it is still so? When there had been no change in the system even after the gang-rape case in December, it is futile to expect any change in future. The problem is this, the government does not viewing these rape cases as big social danger.  Whenever there is any incident, the same is tried to be solved as a single happening of criminal nature only and understand that it has done its duty. The law has been made little stronger after the protests against gang rape.  But had the heinous crime like rape could stop with the law, the same would have stopped by now.  Rather, these incidents have given birth to the agitations and protests from all walks of life and to fight against this, there is a need to start a social campaign.

The laws are changed only in papers and there is no change in the temperament of the working of the police.  No efforts have been made to bring reforms in the police especially while dealing with the women by organising seminars or refresher courses from time to time.  It is correct that the police force comes under the purview of states but the centre has the right to issue any directions in this regard. It is not understood as to why the government has not started any campaign for crime against women like that of family planning, female foeticide or dowry?

As to why the social organisations have not been included in this campaign? As to why the states have not started any such campaign at the police station or gram sabha levels? These are certain questions for which the government has no answer. In fact, the problem is that the political system is viewing such social epidemic from plus and minus point of view.

The opposition parties did not allow the proceedings in Parliament on the issue on Monday and Home Minister was not allowed to speak.  In case the Opposition is really serious about the rape crimes, as to why they don’t come with concrete programme on the subject? Number of campaigns have been started by the social organisations, political leaders to sensitised the people but why all this anger in the Parliament and that too before the camera? Perhaps to gain the fame in the eyes of public viewing the small screen which is very active in highlighting such issues. 

There is need to ban such type of politics and in case no check is put on this, there is possibility of so many dangers.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of City Air News.)