local administration must explain why it had allowed an illegal settlement to flourish under its nose in Jawahar Park
The Jawahar Park incident in Mathura has shaken the national conscience. The man responsible for this mess, Ram Briksh Yadav who squatted on Government land and set up a large illegal settlement, reminds us of Subeg Singh, a former Major General of the Indian Army, who had occupied and fortified the Akal Takth with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. While Singh was waging war against the Indian state, Yadav was challenging the might of the state by setting up an illegal settlement. While the Punjab incident related to country's unity and integrity, and eventually led to Army intervention, in Mathura, the incident created chaos in civil society, disrupting governance and damaging life and property of the citizens. Such open civil terrorism often turns out to be more lethal than the other forms of terrorism because the police is not well trained to handle it.
Other Ram Briksh Yadavs will emerge unless the law enforcing agencies realise the enormity of the problem at hand. It is unheard of in any civilised nation that a few hundred lunatic fringe elements can take over the administration of an area, torture citizens, amass lethal weapons and make a mockery of the police and civil administration by occupying prime Government property in the middle of the city for almost two years.
The local administration may treat this as an isolated incident but the country would like to hear from Uttar Pradesh’s Director-General of Police, its Principal Secretary (Home) and Chief Secretary as to why they didn’t take any action on the 16 reports they received from intelligence units of the District administration and District police. The Government must explain its inaction — why did it allow stockpiling of weapons, supply of water and electricity during the last two yearsIJ Why was the State Government oblivious to this massive illegal settlementIJ
The police and the district administration either had no strategy to handle the menace or were passing the buck to higher ups. The administration allowed the encroachers a free hand. As quick detection and swift action was not taken, the encroachers had time to fortify and infiltrate the system and challenge the law and order machinery. In such cases of illegal occupation, the local administration does not require any permission to act.
What is even more surprising is that despite cutting off electricity and water lines, the encroachers were enjoying both amenities. It is only after the Allahabad High Court passed an order for eviction that the administration woke up.
The police forces in the country have seemingly become engrossed in routine duties and lack professional skills for tackling citizen revolts. The honest policeman is always a suspect in the eyes of politicians, and civil servants have none of the ethos for which they were known earlier. Now each one is engaged in grabbing power and favours from powers that be.
India aspires to be a democratic welfare state. But do we have the provisions to act in the interests of democracy and dismiss all those who forsake the oath of governance and be debarred from contesting elections for at least five years. Day in and day out citizens succumb to those who capture powers and become the law unto themselves.
The crime syndicate knows well that it can twist the judicial process. Already, the Indian judicial system is beyond the reach of most Indian citizens because of the high fees charged by advocates and delays in justice. Only those who have corporate support or big money or are themselves rich and corrupt can afford good lawyers.
Previously, the political leaders used to take help of criminals for booth capturing during elections but when these elements realised that it will be better to fight elections rather than help the leaders, the political scenario changed. This trend coincided with politicisation of the bureaucracy and the police forces, and this deadly troika is responsible for breakdown of the governance.
The Indian judiciary has been a pillar of strength and interprets the law in words but now there is need to interpret in spirit to nip political one-upmanship and help the Government stem the rot.
The institutions of governance need reform as the strife in society is increasing due to genuine or perceived injustice but largely due to deteriorating moral values. It is high time for amendments in the Constitution to change the administrative profile of the country to make it accountable, futuristic and reflective of the aspiration of the people.
The silver lining is the resilience in Indian culture and ethos to overcome crisis situations but the time is now ripe for action to remove the anomalies in governance distortions in the system. The present Government has the majority mandate to lead from the front it mustn’t disappoint.
(The writer is former Principal Secretary, Government of Tripura)