Common Cause Events
Book Release: The Struggle for Police Reforms in India -- May 8, 2022
Abhishek Rana*
“In the beginning, if somebody had told that this (struggle for police reforms) is not going to end even in your lifetime, may be I would not have embarked on the project,” rued Indian Police Foundation (IPF) Chairman Mr Prakash Singh, former DGP, UP, Assam and BSF, at the launch event of his book The Struggle for Police Reforms in India. The event was hosted by IPF, in collaboration with Common Cause and Rupa Publications at the India International Centre on May 8, 2022.
The book is a treatise on the protracted but determined struggle undertaken by Mr Singh to bring about police reforms in the country. It is set against the historical backdrop of the origin of the Indian Police, while following the institution’s journey from the British rule to the post-Independence era. Capturing the struggles of diverse sections of people and groups, the book offers insights into the author’s efforts to bring about transformational changes in the Indian police force.
The speakers at the event included the Vice President of India Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, IPF President Mr N Ramachandran, Dr Vipul Mudgal, Director, Common Cause, former DGP Mr NK Singh, Executive Editor, India Today, Mr Kaushik Deka and Mr Kapish Mehra, Managing Director, Rupa & Co.
Mr Ramachandran, in his welcome speech, appreciated the efforts of the Vice President in his support of IPF and acknowledged how Mr Naidu has spoken very strongly in favour of good governance, good policing and reforms in the police force time and again.
The Vice-President acknowledged that the political will to usher in police reforms is lacking at various levels. He surmised this to be true as many states haven’t undertaken police reforms despite the matter being taken up at the Supreme Court and a decisive judgment. “I suggest that administrators, politicians and bureaucracy at various levels read this book, and try to do whatever is possible at their level,” he said.
Dr Mudgal discussed how the cause of police reforms should be everybody’s business and not just the concern of retired police officers and selected politicians. “India cannot become a super power, with an antiquated and brutal police force,” he said.
Mr Deka pointed out that although police forces are often blamed for being slow, the reverse can be seen in isolated cases. He cited the instance of the Assam Police arresting one Gujarat MLA within 24 hours of filing an FIR, after travelling 2000 miles. “In this environment, the book is a timely reminder for the police forces on what they should exactly do.” He added: “The bitter truth is that political interferences have become blatant. Lack of infrastructure and adverse working conditions are crippling the efficiency of the police forces in the country.”
Despite a consistent deluge of news documenting the arbitrary and brutal acts of the police force, the need to forge ahead with transformation from within was felt by everybody. Speakers also conceded that the drawn out battle for police reforms hasn’t been a fruitless exercise. “Whenever the history of police is written, the Supreme Court judgment would be permanently there,” said Mr Singh. He went on to conclude that one of the biggest gains from the crusade has been the arousal of public consciousness on the need for police reforms in this country.
* Abhishek Rana is an intern at Common Cause
Meeting on the India Justice Report ---- May 17, 2022
Radhika Jha*
Common Cause hosted a meeting on the India Justice Report (IJR) on May 17, 2022. Apart from Common Cause, the IJR team had participants from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. The highlight of the meeting was a discussion with the Director cum Chief Forensic Scientist of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Mr SK Jain.
The agenda of the meeting was to explore the amount of information on forensic science laboratories and infrastructure available at the national as well as the state level. This would help the team decide on the possibility of including forensic sciences as a separate pillar for access to justice in the forthcoming edition of IJR.
Mr Jain gave a presentation on the scope, objective and functioning of the forensic science laboratories in the country and provided a comprehensive picture of the various technologies available and in use at these facilities. He also explained how the forensics departments are interlinked with various police departments as well as the judiciary, during the investigation of a case. Various limitations of the forensics infrastructure and their functioning in the country, particularly at the state and district levels were deliberated on. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session, in which questions related to the
ground reality and accessibility of information were raised. The meeting concluded with the IJR team presenting a set of questions to Mr Jain regarding the capacity of forensics departments in the states, which he promised to forward to the relevant authorities and provide crucial data to the team.
* Radhika Jha is Research Executive at Common Cause
MIRA Coalition Meeting --- May 13, 2022
Anshi Beohar*
As a member of the steering committee of Mineral Inheritors Rights Association (MIRA), Common Cause participated in a full-day MIRA Coalition Meeting on May 13, 2022. In order to strengthen MIRA, roundtable discussions were conducted with specific inputs from members on core areas of work.
Mr Sreedhar Ramamurthi (Environics Trust), Mr Rahul Basu (Goa Foundation) and Mr Nikhil Dey (Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan), among others, highlighted various issues concerning the extractive sector. They discussed themes of transparency, accountability, use of funds, environmental costs and human exploitation in the extractive sector and debated whether mining at such gigantic scales was needed at all. Nishant Alag of Environics Trust talked about ways to ensure the efficient use of funds with the District Mineral Foundation for the benefits of mining-affected communities.
MIRA is an emerging coalition of diverse civil society groups and networks in India, working towards ensuring democracy, social justice, equity, transparency, and accountability in the extractive sector governance. It advocates for a country with a fair and effective governance over minerals and natural resources, which are a shared inheritance with the state as trustee for the people, especially future generations.
Discussions were held on themes of transparency, accountability, use of funds, environmental costs and human exploitation in the extractive sector
* Anshi Beohar is Legal Consultant (Research) at Common Cause
Digital Conduct during Elections --- May 20, 2022
Radhika Jha*
The Common Cause team held a meeting with the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Free Software Movement of India (FSMI) on May 20, 2022 at the Common Cause House. The discussion was around the impact of digital platforms in influencing electoral processes and the safeguards that need to be put in for its regulation and monitoring. The meeting was attended by Maj Gen Anil Verma (Retd), Head, ADR, Dr Vipul Mudgal, Director, Common Cause, Mr Apar Gupta, Executive Director, IFF, Mr Prateek Waghre, Policy Director, IFF and Mr Srinivas Kodali of FSMI, among others.
The meeting covered various issues under the larger umbrella of digital conduct during elections, including a detailed report that may be submitted to the Election Commission of India. Discussions veered on topics such as engagement strategies with opposition parties, MPs and state governments, the nature and mode of public awareness
The meeting covered various issues under the larger umbrella of digital conduct during elections, including a detailed report that may be submitted to the Election Commission of India
There was a consensus on the need for widespread advocacy around this issue. It was also felt that we should be able to cover issues such as hate speech on digital platforms. It was decided to prepare a report and involve more civil society organisations in the upcoming brainstorming.
* Radhika Jha is Research Executive at Common Cause
