Atrocities against People in 21 days Lockdown

It is most humbly submitted that:

1.The country faces a potential rise in the number of coronavirus cases and as millions worry about how they will access basic needs like food and water during the shutdown, Indians have added an additional worry: the fear of arbitrary state violence, even for those who are out on the streets for a good reason.

2.This is no doubt a challenging moment for the police. Governments, central and state, seemed to change their approach to the national situation over the span of just one day, moving from a self-imposed “janata curfew” to a 21-day curfew in the much more traditional sense.

3. Moreover, getting the message across to people is hard. Those with some experience of curfews may think of the restrictions in the older sense of staying indoors for a fixed period and then being allowed out during a relaxation period in the evening.

4.This is not the cause for the state to pull out its lathis and start hitting everyone in sight. One police officer even posted a video online of him sanitising a lathis.

5. Public emergencies are complex situations, yet they are ultimately for our own good – they are not meant to be punishment. Police departments around the country have attempted innovative ways to shame people about their violations, from handing them a rose to making them pose with placards that say “I am endangering everyone.” even if these people are outside to buy some essential commodities or availing any essential services.

The state cannot arbitrarily exercise violence on people. People all over the world are being asked to stay indoors. Yet, in just one day, India seems to experienced a great many instances of police brutality. What does that tell us?

• It is counterproductive. Beating up delivery personnel and vegetable vendors endangers the supply of essential goods. Moreover, three weeks is a long time. People are going to need to make their way out of the house to buy food and medicines.
  But if stepping out could lead to violence from the state, people might stop listening to official directions and look at other means. Above everything, the state needs cooperation right now. Arbitrary assaults will not help make the case.
• It tells us that authorities have not planned. This is yet another example of how little preparation went into India’s 21-day lockdown. The Centre could have worked with the states to discuss best practices when it comes to keeping people indoors, innovative police departments might have passed on methods to others, police officers everywhere should have been trained.
  Yet all this is happening after the announcement in a haphazard manners.

Suyash Sahai    Contact the author of the petition