Spotlight

New Delhi, 29 May 2016

Haryana Jat Probe Report

ACT AGINST DELINQUENT BABUS

By Vinod Sharma

Shocking and disturbing, are two key findings of the probe panel report on Haryana’s Jat quota stir recently, worse than the actual mayhem, looting, arson and chaos. Whereby, over 90 top civil and police officials were found guilty of negligence and dereliction of duty during the agitation.

The list contains names of many senior officers of the rank of Director General of Police (DGP), Inspector General of Police (IGPs) and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) who not only fled the scenes but also out of fear, deployed policemen to guard their own homes thereby allowing the arsonists to have a free hand.

Consequently, there was a total breakdown of the law and order machinery at least for a week resulting in huge loss of life and property, both private and public.

To recollect, this is perhaps the first such agitation in Haryana’s 50 years history where political leadership, civil and police administration totally crumbled and abjectly surrendered before a small, but violent, gang of arsonists.

Moreover, had it been a different administration, like on earlier occasions, the agitation would not have taken such an ugly turn and been crushed in the bud.

Notably, the Prakash Singh Committee, constituted to probe the various acts of omission and commission by the police and civil administration during the February agitation, has recommended stern action against 90 officials, including the then DGP and IGP Rohtak, for their mala fide and deliberate negligence.

More scandalous, was the fact that police officers of the rank of DGP and IGP, who are mandated to lead, direct and motivate their police force under adverse circumstances, chose to remain indoors for fear of attack or other malicious reasons. Ditto the case with four Deputy Commissioners and two Superintendents of Police held guilty of inaction and lack of proper administrative command.

Importantly, former DGP of UP Prakash Singh in his two volume report severely castigates officials for citing an excuse of no clear instructions to tackle the situation to hide their inaction during the mayhem.

Singh rebuts this by underscoring, “the officials were empowered under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to act in such situations and did not need directions to do their duty.”

Raising a moot point: Why did officials, cutting across ranks and files, resort to deliberate negligence on such large scale?

True, there might be some fearing factor among a group of officials, but overall it seems to be a part of a well-hatched conspiracy for political considerations. The arrest of a former Chief Minister’s close aide whose telephonic audio on instigating the agitators went viral, clearly points to a political angle in this sordid story.

Likewise, the Jat community flourishes in police and civil administration, which leads one to surmise of them having a soft corner for their community protestors.

Indeed, whatever might be the reasons behind the babus’ inertia and letting loose an atmosphere of chaos, one thing is clear: The whole scenario put forward a very weak, miserable, indecisive and inefficient political leadership in the State once known for the hard-hitting approach of able administrators like Bansi Lal to tackle such situations in the past.

Otherwise, how could the Jat arsonists make an official of an IGP to run away for safety? Set ablaze houses and business establishments of selected politicians and businessmen? Resort to looting and plundering and even daring to confront top cops?

Importantly, the total denial mode of the political leadership on the revolting Murthal gang-rape reports was even more unfortunate than the inefficiency and inept handing of the situation.

Ashamedly, the same power dispensation had to eat humble pie later when victims and witnesses of the gory incident came forward following the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the matter.

Interestingly, the probe panel has not recommended any quantum of punitive action against the delinquent officials, leaving it to the discretion of the State Government. Asserted Prakash Singh after submitting his report, “It is the Government’s prerogative whether or not to initiate action on findings of the report, but I feel that a right message will not go if they are not taken to task.”

Clearly, the ball is in Government’s court. Certainly, the BJP Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has assured action at the earliest after examining the report, but it remains to be seen how sternly these top-ranking officials who work as custodians of law and order are punished/ Or at least get minor symbolic penalty for the sake of taking action.

Remember, agitations for reservation quotas are not new in this country. Take the recent ones of Gujjars’ in Rajasthan, Pattidars’ in Gujarat and Kapus’ of Andhra Pradesh. All these agitations were well-participated, united and violent in nature.

But nowhere, was there total collapse of law and order machinery for days altogether. Nowhere, did the civil and police administration allow the protestors a free hand and themselves acted as mute and dumb spectators. No official was reported to be negligent in his duty while dealing with arsonists.

Resultantly, these agitations did not last long and nor turned ugly as much as Haryana’s. Comparatively, the State adjoining Union Capital Delhi is far more tiny compared to the above mentioned which puts it in an advantageous position vis-à-vis handing mobs.

Yet, Haryana boiled far more forcefully than these States. The reason? Lack of political efficiency and proper control over bureaucracy along-with being deficient in their willingness to rein in the destructionists.

Arguably, even if the dispensation is weak or inefficient or babudom and the police force are delinquent, people can not afford to live in fear and feel insecure for no fault of theirs. More so, as we live in the 21st century, that too in the world’s largest democracy with people’s fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution. And not in the stone age of pre-civilized era where might was always right.

Undeniably, enforcement of the rule of law is the prime duty of State agencies, and if its officials run away from doing their lawful duty in saving people from such onslaughts, what is the use of choosing a Government?

All in all, what has happened has happened. Today, there is an opportunity to make amends and take lessons from our past mistakes. Therefore, it is the right moment for the Khattar Government to fully implement the findings of Prakash Singh Committee in letter and spirit and without favour or fear.

It needs to set an example of strongest punitive action against those found guilty. This will also help in re-christening the damaged image of the concerned agencies as well as political leadership in the eyes of the people.  ----- INFA