But it’s time for agencies to work professionally and to let the suffocating security cover go
As India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day today, there is a multi-layered security ring enveloping the Capital. Of course, the pandemic is a hindrance to the grandiosity of celebrations for a couple of years now. But, that apart, is there really a need to insulate the normal, common Indians from their national celebration? Why shouldn’t they be allowed to be part of the joy, pride and festivities as those who claim to be the top layer among equals, that too in the name of protecting the latter? And from whom; one’s own countrymen? Of course one remembers what happened at the Red Fort this day last year. But one also distinctly remembers that when former US President Bill Clinton visited India towards the turn of last century, there was minimal inconvenience caused by the Secret Service people. They would diligently check all equipment besides mandatorily body-checking all incoming persons but they would never be overly intrusive. Why can’t our security agencies be as professional? The only reason, it appears, is that they are still unsure of their own abilities; therefore, they’d rather issue advisories banning all sorts of items to a VVIP venue.
There is no denying that any untoward incident on such a momentous occasion would come as a major embarrassment for the Government and the security establishment but another way of looking at it is, as some politicians have said in the past, women shouldn’t venture out of their homes late at night because rapists are on the prowl. Well, rather than advising a well-meaning, perhaps late-working, woman to stay indoors, shouldn’t the police rather focus on increasing its presence on the streets and aim for crime prevention rather than trying to solve it after their laxity has allowed it to be executed? Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana has informed that more than 27,000 personnel of the force have been deployed for security duty and anti-terror measures have also been intensified. Delhi Police is also getting assistance from 65 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). Anti-terror measures are intensified comprising of the checking of hotels, vehicles, blockades of several locations, among others. All of this is good, but the moot point is: Don’t victimise innocent citizens. May hope and peace always be in the country! Happy Republic Day.
Happy R-Day
But it’s time for agencies to work professionally and to let the suffocating security cover go
As India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day today, there is a multi-layered security ring enveloping the Capital. Of course, the pandemic is a hindrance to the grandiosity of celebrations for a couple of years now. But, that apart, is there really a need to insulate the normal, common Indians from their national celebration? Why shouldn’t they be allowed to be part of the joy, pride and festivities as those who claim to be the top layer among equals, that too in the name of protecting the latter? And from whom; one’s own countrymen? Of course one remembers what happened at the Red Fort this day last year. But one also distinctly remembers that when former US President Bill Clinton visited India towards the turn of last century, there was minimal inconvenience caused by the Secret Service people. They would diligently check all equipment besides mandatorily body-checking all incoming persons but they would never be overly intrusive. Why can’t our security agencies be as professional? The only reason, it appears, is that they are still unsure of their own abilities; therefore, they’d rather issue advisories banning all sorts of items to a VVIP venue.
There is no denying that any untoward incident on such a momentous occasion would come as a major embarrassment for the Government and the security establishment but another way of looking at it is, as some politicians have said in the past, women shouldn’t venture out of their homes late at night because rapists are on the prowl. Well, rather than advising a well-meaning, perhaps late-working, woman to stay indoors, shouldn’t the police rather focus on increasing its presence on the streets and aim for crime prevention rather than trying to solve it after their laxity has allowed it to be executed? Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana has informed that more than 27,000 personnel of the force have been deployed for security duty and anti-terror measures have also been intensified. Delhi Police is also getting assistance from 65 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). Anti-terror measures are intensified comprising of the checking of hotels, vehicles, blockades of several locations, among others. All of this is good, but the moot point is: Don’t victimise innocent citizens. May hope and peace always be in the country! Happy Republic Day.
