Crime and Society

Crime and Society


I t often appears that the criminal world has taken over the world’s cities. There is no country which is safe where common people can move around without any fear. This spur in crime is creating a kind of fear psychosis in common citizenry. You leave your home without knowing whether your “TATA / BYE” to your family is last or you are going to see and meet them again on your return home. You do not know whether your family will be safe at home when you are out earning bread and butter for the family.


In addition to crime another thing to be worried about is the road accidents which are mostly fatal costing life and your vehicle. Nearly eight thousand vehicles are added daily on the roads of New Delhi. People do not have any regard for traffic laws or discipline. Drivers do not have any patience and it results in road rages in which they very frequently take out their licensed / unlicensed guns and shoot without a second’s thought for consequences. The incidents of manhandling, physical assault and roughing up are quite common.


No body bothers about a victim of road accident. He may be loosing blood profusely and timely help may save his life. But the drivers swish by without any compunction to their conscience.


Life is indeed becoming very cheap. The business of ‘hit men’ similarly seems to be flourishing fast. Their services are easily available to any one to settle scores.


In recent past there has been incidents of mobs taking the law in hand either in punishing a petty criminal or on the eve of festivals – like Christmas / New Year attempting to disrobe a woman even if she is with her family and friends. Such incidents took place in Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata on both of the above occasions. In smaller towns/villages local people have caught petty thieves, beaten or lynched to death or poured acid in their eyes.


What could be the cause of all these incidents – lack of faith in judiciary, no fear of law, absence of an inspiring leader, sudden increase in disposable income, greed and mania to become very rich over night? One thing is sure and that is criminalization of politics, criminals maneuvering to get elected and become a leader and subsequently a minister and continuing with their past activities. There is no doubt that policemen are confused as to the role that they have to play – protect a criminal turned minister, play their role as an arm of law and protect law abiding common citizen or finally themselves turning into a criminal in uniform.


One of the judges of Supreme Court of India had very rightly commented that policemen are no less than criminals in uniform. The uniform offers them additional protection in committing the crime. “Who will watch the watchers”?

The time has come for a social revolution led, encouraged and participated by media, social workers, intellectuals, students and other active or retired citizens. No point cursing to the fate, blame the God and keep mum doing nothing