TW: Violence, assault, police brutality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the basic structure of our society. We have been made aware of certain potholes that malign humanity. The death of George Floyd created much furore against racism and police brutality. People from different countries raised their voice and demanded justice for George Floyd.
Many regions share this problem, where the cops get brutal during interrogation. Indian cops are a step ahead of many. Though the cases of police brutality are not new, the COVID-19 pandemic has somehow highlighted the brutal behaviour of Indian cops.
The news of a father-son duo dying due to police brutality in Tamil Nadu has only added shame to India’s Police administration. It was reported that Jeyaraj and Bennix were arrested by the Tamil Nadu police, allegedly for not following the lockdown rules. It was alleged that the victims were thrashed by the police while in custody.
According to a Chennai based news portal, eyewitnesses have also claimed that the father and son were allegedly sodomised while in custody. They have also claimed that after Jeyaraj and Bennix were released, blood was flowing through their rectum.
As the news is reaching the masses, people are demanding justice. Just like many other countries, the Indian Police has had a long history of custodial deaths. The situation is frightening and the unscrupulous behaviour of the administration needs to stop. In most cases, the policemen involved are either left with a warning or transferred, or suspended for a short time. No legitimate and strict action is taken against them.
Since the issue of intolerance of Indian cops is being discussed, here are some instances where the mercilessness and cruel side of the Indian police have been seen.
December 15, 2019, Jamia: Every student studying in the Jamia Millia Islamia University can’t erase the memory of being treated as prisoners, and thrashed like terrorists. Amidst the anti-CAA/NRC protests, the Delhi Police entered the University campus and threw tear gas shells at the students. They later vandalised the library and mercilessly beat up the students studying there.
The CCTV footage of the reading room and library displayed how the cops were manhandling and beating students. The entrance of the police from the backside raises many questions. It was reported that they did not enter from the main gate, and took the backside entry instead. No police officer is allowed to enter the campus without the permission of the authorities. The Proctor and V.C clearly denied giving them any permission.
Despite this, the cops thrashed the students. They hit them and did not spare anyone. The whole nation had only one question in mind: What was the fault of the students who were studying inside the library?
Muzaffarnagar, December 2019: The Telegraph reported on the atrocities that were inflicted on the Maulana of a Madarsa located in Muzaffarnagar. This violent incident happened on December 20, 2019, after an anti-CAA protest happened in the city, nearby. Soon after that, the 66-year old maulana was dragged out of the Madarsa and beaten with a baton. He, along with almost 100 students, was arrested.
It was reported that the cleric was severely tortured in the custody. He was stripped and beaten on a spine-chilling winter night. The students are also reported to have suffered rectal bleeding along with other wounds. The cleric’s family refused to talk to the journalists claiming that the police will come and vandalise their houses.
Lockdown 2020: Human life has been paused by the pandemic. In order to prompt the Indian citizens to stay indoors, the Indian cops adopted a rather cruel and inhuman manner.
A video from Bareily was circulating on social media, in which a 12-year old kid kept sobbing as he was beaten up supposedly by the UP cops. It was heartbreaking to watch the complete video. The cops had mercilessly beaten him as he was trying to sell fruits so he could support his poor father. It’s distressing to imagine how heartless the police have become.
This is not it, many such incidents have occurred. We watch the videos, listen to the news, empathise with the deceased and then simply forget all of it. The administration has terribly failed us in this realm.
The lack of coverage on the Jeyaraj and Bennix case, and the silence of the administration, are evidence of the serious potholes the country’s governance has. Such brutal incidents need to stop. The interrogation should be done keeping humanitarian grounds in mind. Any police officer, who is seen manhandling the general public, should be questioned and punished.