Law and Order under Mayawati

0
577

Salman Sultan,When Ms Mayawati became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time, people didn’t have high expectations. However, she proved to be a tough administrator so much so that executive body under her regime was on their toes to fulfill orders. U.P. witnessed relative peace devoid of incidents of crime, in particular, communal riots. She didn’t flinch in putting in jail notorious criminals or even legislators having criminal records. People of U.P. still remember her first tenure as CM and often refer to her as the only ‘Man’ among the political fraternity. Once Ms Mayawati made up her mind, it was hard to convince her otherwise. Sometimes this obstinacy was not rational as happened in one incident narrated by one Doctor whose cousin was a top bureaucrat. One night Ms Mayawati complained of excruciating pain in her ears. The bureaucrat suggested calling a senior ENT Doctor of Medical College but Mayawati rejected his advice and instead told him to call immediately his favourite Doctor, a general physician. Suffice is to say that the bureaucrat could not muster enough courage to argue with the CM and complied with her, obviously flawed, orders.

It was only when Mayawati started building giant monuments to Dalit Heroes and in the process ordered installing of statues of not only human beings but scores of Elephants, her party symbol, People of U.P. started complaining. Residents of Lucknow suffered with environmental pollution as continuous cutting of stones released unbearable dust clouds. Of course, a downtrodden community wanted to exert its identity through these symbolic gestures but overdoing this at the cost of real development of community seemed simple waste of resources. Ms Mayawati might have been intrigued by great monuments built by Moghul Kings or earlier rulers of India but to emulate them in 20th/21st century was not at all justified. The other extravaganza Ms Mayawati indulged in was her birthday bash where she spent huge sum of money. Such lavish fanfare contrasted with the living conditions of her community (Dalits). Instead of following the austerity of Gandhi ji who went topless after witnessing the prevalent poverty in our country, Ms Mayawati felt proud of displaying her costly jewellery. Her image was also sullied with corruption charges in ‘Taj Corridor’ project.

Recent happenings in Una and other places where Dalits, involved in the business of disposal of carcasses, were beaten up by so-called ‘Cow Vigilantes’ have resulted in unification of Dalit groups. Further, atrocities committed in the name of Cow by self-styled protectors, who in many cases proved to be just extortionists, have raised questions on the efficiency of our law enforcing agencies. Both living and dead Cows proved to be a menace for Muslims and Dalits respectively and thus resulted in joining of hands as happened in Una protests. As U.P. has good share of votes as far as Muslims and Dalits are concerned, Mayawati naturally felt elated by this association of communities, who have suffered at the hands of anti-social elements (as called by PM) sometimes under the watch of security forces. The constitutional obligation (Article 21) of protection of life and personal liberty has not been upheld, thus creating uneasiness among victims of such abhorrent acts as being committed in the name of ‘Cow Protection’. Further, abusive remarks against Mayawati by higher community fellows have also antagonized Dalits and they have been energized to support their leader in order to uphold her and community’s dignity.

Unexpected rise in communal riots under the watch of Samajwadi Party government has raised questions about not only the efficacy of government machinery but its complicity in such incidents. In 2012, Samajwadi Party returned to power with absolute majority but though it could show some development under youthful leadership of Mr. Akhilesh Yadav, it failed miserably as far as containment of communal strife is concerned. Mayawati lamented collapse of law and order machinery and said that even cops were not safe in the state. Aam Aadmi Party on the law and order situation has preferred Mayawati over Aklhilesh Yadav’s government. To compound the situation further, infighting has started in the Yadav family and that too just before the crucial assembly election. Supporters of the Party feel disgusted by these bickering and waste of time spent in family member’s compromises instead of working for the development of State.

Raking non-issues and thus surcharging the atmosphere on emotional grounds have been the pastime of a political dispensation which prides itself over patriotism but feel no compunction in pitting one against another for its own political aggrandizement. Recent posters capitalizing surgical strikes on terror camps which sprang up in U.P. do not bode well for peace and prosperity of the State. Once you reap the harvest of communal sowing, it becomes difficult to resist the temptation. It is therefore, imperative to see that U.P. remains peaceful till assembly elections in 2017, thus avoiding polarization of votes on communal lines. Moves are also being made to sentimentally exhort people in the name of so-called cultural activities like museum in the name of ‘Ramayana’.

A vigilant election commission can impose its authority in checking political speeches inciting violence and if this happens, Mayawati’s party on the basis of its previous record vis-à-vis ‘law and order’ has a fair chance in the coming elections.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. IndiaTomorrow.net is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article may not reflect the views of IndiaTomorrow.net and IndiaTomorrow.net does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here