Government Urged to Bar Vigilantes from Policing

A recent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi turned violent when men in mufti, armed with lathis, attacked protesters.

The identity of these men has not been disclosed, and it appears they were moving alongside the police.

This has raised concerns about the presence of vigilantes in policing.

The protest was peaceful, with students gathering to protest question-paper leaks and the postponement of NEET.

The police were present to maintain law and order, but the presence of these armed men was disturbing.

It seemed they were trying to provoke the students and give the agitation a violent turn.

One of the men, Swatantra Bharadwaj, has been identified and arrested.

He claimed to have attacked the father of a minor girl participating in the protest and boasted about his political connections.

Bharadwaj named Delhi minister Kapil Mishra and Union minister Chirag Paswan as his benefactors, but Paswan has denied any connection.

The police response came only after sustained public pressure, creating an impression of indulgence.

The government must learn from this episode that law and order cannot be outsourced to vigilantes.

The police alone have the legal authority to control an agitation, and protesters must be protected from intimidation and violence.

Allowing unofficial actors to function alongside the police creates a grey area where responsibility becomes impossible to fix.

This can transform a legitimate protest into a confrontation and provide the state with an excuse to suppress it.

The allegations against Bharadwaj must be investigated without fear or favour, including those concerning the minor.

Political connections must have no bearing on the course of justice.

The government must not allow fifth columnists to fish in troubled waters.

A democratic state must police protests, not create conditions in which they become disorderly.

The presence of vigilantes in policing is a serious issue that must be addressed.

The government must take action to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that protesters' rights are protected.

In a democratic country, the right to protest is fundamental, and the government must respect this right.

The police must be trained to handle protests in a professional and impartial manner, without resorting to violence or intimidation.

The case of Swatantra Bharadwaj is a wake-up call for the government to take action against vigilantes.

The government must ensure that the rule of law is upheld, and protesters are protected from violence and intimidation.

In conclusion, the government must bar vigilantes from policing and ensure that the police alone have the authority to control an agitation.

This is essential to maintain law and order and protect the rights of protesters in a democratic country.