A massive overhaul of the Indian police is the need of the hour. Two recent incidents highlight the abject failure of policing mechanisms in Bharat and also reveal the colonial nature of this institution, just like its IAS counterpart. HinduPost had earlier highlighted how even 73 years after independence, Babudom had yet to become a public servant and continued with the colonial attitude of being a privileged class with the right to boss over commoners.
The contrasting manner in which police gave in to Islamists while lathi-charging Hindu devotees indicates how ill-equipped they are to take on troublemakers while showing their might against law-abiding citizens.
On March 8, a video circulated online depicting several Muslims offering Namaz on a road in Delhi’s Indralok area. The footage captured an officer intervening by kicking a man, offering Namaz, and instructing him to move. However, a more extended version of the video recently surfaced, revealing that before the incident, Delhi police had issued multiple warnings to the individuals regarding offering Namaz on the road. Despite these warnings, the group persisted, prompting the officer to intervene physically.
In the extended footage, it’s evident that the police officer first attempted to push the individuals away and subsequently resorted to kicking two of them, who continued to offer Namaz despite repeated warnings. Following the officer’s actions, a Muslim mob became agitated and surrounded him, leading to a heated argument between the two parties. Voices in the background were heard inciting violence against the officer.
With the emergence of this new footage, which highlights the Muslim group’s disobedience to police warnings, support for the Delhi police and the officer has surged among netizens. Despite this, the officer, identified as SI (Sub Inspector) Manoj Tomar, who was involved, was suspended by the Delhi police, citing disciplinary action.
In an official statement, Delhi Police officials confirmed the suspension of the Police Post In-charge seen in the video, effective immediately. They also mentioned taking necessary disciplinary measures in response to the incident at Inderlok.
Later, multiple videos of a frenzied Islamist mob involved in Delhi’s Inderlok Namaz on-road incident have surfaced on social media platforms. Reports indicate that a large group of Muslims surrounded police personnel in the Inderlok area, and there were attempts to harm the officers. The mob expressed their anger and hurled abuses at SI Manoj Tomar after he was observed kicking individuals performing Namaz, thereby blocking a road.
One video circulated on social media purportedly showed a Muslim mob attacking SI Manoj Tomar while he was being escorted to court. Initially, the Delhi Police refuted claims of a mob attack on SI Manoj Tomar. However, they later acknowledged that a confrontation between a mob and police officials did occur on March 8, clarifying that SI Tomar was not present during the altercation. The assertion that Manoj Tomar was attacked was deemed inaccurate.
Subsequently, a video featuring a Muslim youth, Sameer Khan, has emerged, wherein he is heard issuing a death threat to Police Officer Manoj Tomar. Khan asserts that it was only the police uniform that saved Tomar, threatening, “Police ki vardi nhi hoti na, to the dunia se utha date” (Translation: If it weren’t for the police uniform, you would have been killed).
Furthermore, several videos from the incident depict the enraged Muslim mob verbally abusing police personnel, displaying aggression, and endangering the lives of other officers. In one viral video, members of the Muslim mob can be heard shouting derogatory remarks and inciting violence against the police.
In contrast, on the same day (Friday, March 8), a distressing incident occurred at the revered Komuravelli Temple in the Siddipet district of Telangana during the celebration of Mahashivaratri. As devotees gathered to observe the occasion with reverence, the atmosphere took a tense turn due to the police’s mishandling.
Following the traditional pujas performed by the priests, devotees eagerly sought the deity’s darshan. However, tension arose when some devotees attempted to cross the barricades surrounding the temple to participate in the Yellow Bandari ritual, a customary practice at the Shiva temple.
Despite the peaceful intentions of the devotees, law enforcement officers resorted to aggressive tactics, including baton-charging the crowd. Shockingly, this indiscriminate use of force extended to women devotees, sparking outrage among witnesses. The lack of proper crowd management and empathy from the police led to chaos and unnecessary violence, overshadowing what should have been a joyous occasion of spiritual observance. Many devotees expressed anger and dismay over the excessive force employed by the authorities.
Telangana BJP’s treasurer Shanthikumar expressed his discontent, stating, “Atrocities of Revanth Reddy’s government against Hindus! At Komuravelli Temple in Siddipet district of Telangana, police baton-charged innocent devotees, including women. This is an attack on the fundamental rights of Hindus. Why such inhuman behaviour with the Hindus in the state, Revanth Reddy?”
It is noteworthy that the callous treatment of Hindu devotees at the Komuravelli Temple is not an isolated incident. Earlier in December 2023, Ayyappa devotees in Sabarimala were subjected to similar brute force as authorities resorted to lathi-charging.
Islamists repeatedly get away with breaking the law and are provided cover fire by the likes of so-called journalists Arfa Sherwani, scam-accused Rana Ayyub, and POCSO-accused Mohammad Zubair. These people not only justify Islamist violence but also whitewash them using different tactics. The police also submit to Islamists and rogue elements instead of dealing with them strictly. This only encourages and emboldens them further. On the other hand, brute force is used against Hindus because they are law-abiding. A massive overhaul in the police mechanism and sensitising them regarding when to use force and when not to is important. Their aim should be enforcing the law and not harassing those abiding by it.
