The present law and order situation in Punjab is the result of continuous mismanagement over decades. No one in particular can be held responsible for the current state of affairs. It has been evolving and sadly, will continue to evolve. It is an established way of life now, whether one accepts or negates it. But still the current law and order situation in Punjab, as in previous decades, certainly evokes serious concern. Perhaps maintenance of law and order was the least of the concerns and priorities of successive governments and it applies to the current state of affairs even. The immediate concern of various Chief Ministers, it appears, was and still is, only the self-preservation and continuation of respective “empires”.
Sadly, things have come to such a pass that there is hardly any possibility of real and meaningful improvement. The most serious of challenges include rampant corruption, gangs and gangsters, drugs and almost free availability of arms. Punjab’s proximity to Pakistan has contributed to the latter three challenges. These evils have been getting a boost from the current music culture, which eulogises alcohol, drug and gun culture. We Punjabis believe in chivalry and machismo and such songs do increase the flow of adrenaline in our veins and some of us get tempted to act recklessly.
Talking of systemic failures or governance gaps, there are many. I can’t stop myself from starting the analysis without quoting Dicey, the 19th-century jurist and political theorist who believed in classical liberal philosophy, whereas some believe that he believed more in individualistic liberalism. Dicey’s theory revolved around two major postulates or beliefs. First was “Parliamentary Sovereignty” and the second was “The Rule of Law”.
In the context of our subject matter/analysis, we need to study the ground situation concerning the existence or otherwise of the Rule of Law in Punjab. Is there any “Rule of Law” in Punjab? Sadly, the short answer is a vehement “No”. Punjab, like several other states of our nation, is run at the mercy and as per the ‘whims and fancy’ of political masters who rule us more or less like an autocrat, without any regard to the gospel of the Rule of Law. Theoretically, we are run as per the democratic norms whereas in reality, it is the autocratic norm, to be more precise autocratic norms of one person, the Chief Ministers, all past and present. Once elected, they lose touch with the ground and sit cosily in their ivory towers. Assembly sessions are short, as short as they can be. They are surrounded by sycophants. Even their ministers cannot reach them easily.
The strong arm of the state power, that is the Police, dances to their tune. Normally, there is only one reaction there from to the political dictates, right or wrong, reasonable or unreasonable and that is, “Ho Jayega Janab, or Jo Hukum Janab Da (Consider it done)”. Matter ends. And it leads to a general denial of justice to common people. Shabby investigation, motivated by political/personal/monetary desires, leads to the absence of the basic postulate of the Rule of Law. And then in courts, dates and dates and dates; and often clever moves to bury the truth.
Now let’s come to the other organ of state power, the bureaucracy. Again, I will quote Dicey, “Bureaucracy Thrives Under The Cloak Of The Gospel Of Collective Ministerial Responsibility”. However, here in Punjab, it is often the other way round. Politicians thrive under the cloak of bureaucratic responsibility. Both work hand in glove, suiting and “coming up to the expectations of each other”, corruption included. A strong bond hidden by an iron curtain. Period.
Punjab Police today neither has the resources nor the autonomy to effectively tackle rising crime and they don’t want either. Why take “panga”? Let it go as it goes. It is a classic case being ‘His Master’s Voice’. Get a cushy posting and enjoy. Most of them, at various levels, hobnob with politicians, criminals, drug cartels and gangsters. Monetary gains and “Successful Retirement” are the sole motivating factors. Several of us are ever ready to play second fiddle even to our juniors, such subordinate ranks who have important politicians’ ears. Since the police come under the Home Department, which is normally held by the Chief Minister, an important politician means the institution of the Chief Minister himself. There have been instances when certain Senior Officers have had to wait outside the rooms of certain Chief Ministers because the CM was busy talking to some sundry SHO, etc. Would not hazard any guess as to the topic of discussion therein. There have been instances when certain Junior police officers not only flouted their Seniors but could even get such obnoxious seniors posted out. Often, no FIR is registered in “sensitive cases” without the verbal approval of the Chief Minister himself. One can understand the state of morale and uprightness of such a force.
Also, there is/was hardly any autonomy in policing and police administration. It all riveted/rivets and revolves around the whims and desires of politicians. In the name of regimentation and discipline, the just, reasonable and free spirit also attempts to ensure the Rule of Law obviously stands crushed.
As far as the curse of drugs is concerned, political statements notwithstanding, the drug menace has not only increased manifold, all along, but now it is beyond redemption. Drug money—and the vast quantum of mafioso wealth—has seeped into the political stream and is likely to stay there forever. Elections have become extremely expensive and often, gray money is used to lure voters, who are also becoming smarter and smarter still. Our political system has come to be heavily dependent on mafia money and mafia gangs exist in each and every ministry.
“Politicians, police, and society alike stand guilty—each complicit in letting the drug trade thrive. The will to slay this monster lies buried and the resolve to dismantle its cartel has vanished into the grave. Whosoever dares to catch this monster sees oneself in serious trouble. We have a great word in Punjabi, “Khudde Line,” and this is the lightest of the punishments reserved for such “daring delinquents”. The man-eating monster is dancing away to glory, not only in Punjab, not even in the entire country but the world over. In such a scenario, the drug menace appears entrenched, with no signs of retreat. There is no will to curb the drug menace at any level, starting right from the national level. Sad fact, however, remains that families abhor it within their four walls, but none of them ever even tries to make any contribution to control this evil. People don’t care if drugs are being consumed next door. The famous gospel of “Sannu Kee” remains in force. Everyone loves and adores a Bhagat Singh but they all want him to take birth in a neighbour’s house, not their own. Shameless and pretentious people all around.
If we talk about structural reforms or what immediate reforms are needed in the Punjab Police to restore credibility and effectiveness, I would say, “You want me to laugh or cry?” Voluminous stacks of recommendations exist and continue to gather dust. No one—least of all the politicians—wants them to be implemented. Status Quo suits them best. In the present scenario, what I feel is that a wake-up call is needed. But the million-dollar question remains, who is gonna bell the cat and how? The situation has deteriorated so gravely that if asked about my vision for Punjab—or a roadmap to restore peace, security, and hope—my answer would be stark: None. Because the dream of revival is long dead and worrying over the impossible serves no purpose “Sar kyon khapana”? There aren’t any takers. Peace, security, development and hope are merely electoral gospels.“Yeh sab baatein hain, baaton ka kya”…
(The author is a former Punjab DGP. Views expressed are personal.)
