Anti–minority bias in the Indian Police
“The
response of police to appeals from desperate victims, particularly Muslims,
was cynical and utterly indifferent. On occasions, the response was that they
were unable to leave the appointed post; on others, the attitude was that one
Muslim killed was one Muslim less...Police officers and men, particularly at
the junior level, appeared to have an in–built bias against the Muslims
which was evident in their treatment of the suspected Muslims and Muslim
victims of riots. The treatment given was harsh and brutal and , on occasions, bordering on the inhuman...The bias of
policemen was seen in the active connivance of police constables with the
rioting Hindu mobs, on occasions, with their adopting the role of passive
on–lookers on occasions, and, finally, their lack of enthusiasm in
registering offenses against Hindus even when the accused was clearly
identified and post-haste classifying the cases in ‘A’ (True but not
detected) summary”.
—
Report of the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Commission on the
Mumbai
riots of 1992–1993
“This
commission of inquiry has cited more than half a dozen instances where Muslim
religious places adjoining police lines or police stations were attacked or
damaged. The argument advanced by the police officers that because they were
busy quelling riots at various other places, these police stations were shorn
of adequate strength and hence these attacks on religious places could not be
punished, did not impress the Commission. It has made this observation because
not a single case of damage to a Hindu place of worship near a police station
was reported to the
Commission.”
— Report of the
Justice Jagmohan Reddy Commission
on the Ahmedabad riots of 1969
“The
working of the Special Investigation Squad is a study in communal
discrimination. The officers of the squad systematically set about implicating
as many Muslims and exculpating as many Hindus as possible irrespective of
whether they were innocent or guilty. Cases of many Hindus belonging to the
Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Utsav Mandal (an extension of the local branch of the
Jana Sangh) were wrongly classified as ‘A’ category and investigations
closed and
no proper investigation was undertaken into several complaints of
murders of Muslims and arson of their property. No investigation was conducted
into the composition and activities of Hindu communal and allegedly communal
organisations operating in Bhiwandi but only in respect of Muslim communal and
allegedly communal organisations. Deputy superintendent of police S.P. Saraf
held private conferences and discussions with several leaders of Hindu
organisations including many who were implicated by Muslims in offences of arson and murder.”
— Report of the
Justice D.P. Madon Commission on the
Bhiwandi, Jalgaon and Mahad of 1970
“The
evidence of the deputy SP says that while on patrol duty he had to curb many
among his rank and file who could not restrain themselves when they met
Muslims on the road. Similar evidence was given by the sub–collector and
other witnesses who have testified saying
that while chasing away some Muslims many policemen yelled at them to
go to Pakistan. At Mattambaram one or two of them got into the mosque and
besides beating Usmankutty Haji, a very respectable person, broke the
tube–light and chandeliers in the mosque. There is nothing to show that
there was any justification for this action...So far as the minorities are
concerned, it is the feeling among them that they are nor getting justice,
that they are discriminated against in the matter of appointments in the
Public Services, that they do not get equal protection of the law and that
their religion is in danger, that prompts them to rally around religious
organisations of their own. It is of the greatest importance that appropriate
steps are taken by the government to remove the cause for such feelings in the
minorities. There is much truth in saying that if you want peace you must work
justice.”
— Report of the
Justice Joseph Vithyathil Commission on the
Tellicherry riots, 1971
“The riots occurred broadly on account of the total
passivity, callousness and indifference of the police in the matter of
controlling the situation and protecting the people of the Sikh
community.…Several instances have come to be narrated where police personnel
were found marching behind or mingled in the crowd. Since they did not make
any attempt to stop the mob from indulging in criminal acts an inference has
been drawn that they were part of the mob and had the common intention and
purpose. ...The Commission was shocked to find that there were incidents where
the police wanted clear and definite allegations against the anti-social
elements in different localities to be dropped out while recording FIRs.”
— Report of the J. Ranganath Misra Commission on the
1984
anti–Sikh riots in Delhi