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Police workshop, Khandala,
Maharashtra
12th May 2012
The CSSS organised a 1-day workshop on ‘Sensitisation of
Police Force towards the weaker sections, minorities and
women during instances of violence or communal
disturbances, on 12 May 2012, at the Police Training
School, Khandala in Pune district of Maharashtra.
T he
event was coordinated by the Police Department.
There were as many as 150 participants, including the
higher officers of the Department. What was interesting
about the workshop was that the participants were women
trainees. The trainees included some Muslims also.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Principal of the
Training School. In his inaugural address, the Principal
reminded the trainees that after they complete their
training, their primary responsibility would be
maintenance of law and order. They should not leave the
Training school with the impression that they can take
law into their hands and treat the public as their
serfs. The uniform gave them an authority to but in
exercising such authority they should behave with
restraint, adopting an unbiased attitude. While in
uniform, they were merely law-enforcement officers and
hence should forget that they belong to any particular
religion, caste, creed etc. It is also a fact that often
the lower ranks of the Police come under intense
pressure from local politicians and other bigwigs and
even officers of the department. If only they stick to
their Code of Conduct, public will soon realise that the
Police are a friend of the people.
Delivering the Key Note address, Dr. Asghar Ali
Engineer, Chairman, CSSS
 elaborated
on the secular credentials of the Indian Constitution
and thriving multi-cultural character of the Indian
Society and how people belonging to different religions,
cultures and languages have been living in total harmony
in India for centuries. However, the nature of Indian
society being what it is, clashes are inevitable between
different groups of people. Religion is not always the
reason behind such clashes. Self-styled ‘leaders’ of
different local groups are often responsible for
clashes; engineering clashes if only to prove their
authority in the society. Dr. Engineer also said that
often the Police use third-degree methods during
interrogation, which is strictly prohibited. Often lady
Police officers and lower ranks have been found to
behave in an insensitive manner in dealing with women.
Such attitude towards the people whom they are expected
to protect makes the general public view Police with
suspicion. He reminded them
 that
according to the Code of Conduct, they are expected to
treat every citizen on an equal footing; especially
women and weaker sections and minorities. He called upon
the participants to try, in spite of the political and
other pressures, to discharge their duties in in
unbiased manner and earn the goodwill of the people.
Following the lecture, some of the Muslim women trainees
met Dr. Engineer and told him that they were happy to
have chosen to join the Police force. They assured Dr.
Engineer that the women trainees have gained a lot of
insight into the human values and would try to follow
the Code of Conduct without fail.
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