Some days ago, I came across this sign at Gurgaon. It said, "NO PARKING ZONE: VEHICLES SHALL BE DEFALTAD (sic) BY ORDER - PRO FAC".I was quite impressed with the severity of the order, and the fact that it seemed to be working - notice there are no parked vehicles behind the sign. Then I began to wonder, "What does PRO FAC stand for?"
Turned out PRO FAC is not the title of a government officer, it is the name of a private security agency employed by the nearby residential complex! What right does a private security agency have to put up a signboard on what is apparently public land? More, how dare a private security agency deflate anyone's tires?
Is there any provision in law for even the traffic police to deflate tires as punishment? I don't think so. Neither is there a provision for a traffic policeman to swing his lathi at rickshaws and rickshaw pullers, or even motorcyclists. But all this happens. (By the way, no traffic policeman would dare to swing his lathi at a car, especially an expensive car.)
This "might is right" approach is seen everywhere in India, and mostly results from the absence of adequate laws or appropriate methods of enforcement. People, including individual policemen, then take the law into their own hands.
Can you imagine that before 9/11 and Guatanamo, I was far more comfortable facing a US police officer than I was facing an Indian policeman? In those simpler times, I could more or less expect full due process under law in front of the US cop, which I could hardly hope for in India.
4 comments:
The mad pressures and lack of resources under which our police officers work, it's a wonder they are still working!
Respected Sir,
There are lot of flaws in our jdiciary system. I want to share one in the university from where i did graduation.i.e(UNIVERSITY OF RAJASTHAN)
Q.88 "If any student has serious criminal allegations agianst him.The principal or equivalent rank officer, if thinks, MAY not allow the sudent to appear in the exam."
Flaws in above law:
1- Anybody can be alleged very easily, especially a student who does not have political approach.
2- Until allegations are not proven how can they punish a student? It can spoil the career of the student.
3- Education is a fundamental right given by constitution even hardcore criminals like SHABUDDIN has taken examination despite having allegations then how can a student be stopped.
Yours Sincerely,
Pr Avinash Choudhary
Avinash, thanks for the example. I tend to agree with you. I think a lot of such rules stem from the glacial speed of our judicial system. Many real criminals roam free for years or are never convicted and punished, so society creates these rules as a response.
Respected Sir,
Thank you very much for replying.I feel sorry for missing "T" in the spelling of "student" .
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