They clean, mop and do everything else some days but the job they were recruited for. But now Karnataka’s constabulary has decided enough is enough.
They clean, mop and do everything else some days but the job they were recruited for. But now Karnataka’s constabulary has decided enough is enough. And come June 4, it will disappear from the city’s streets and police stations as over 50,000 constables plan to go on mass leave that day to draw the government’s attention to their low salaries, absence of weekly offs, irregular working hours, and alleged physical and mental abuse by their seniors, who demand they do everything from polishing their shoes to even mopping and clean their houses besides their regular duties. For men who joined the force with a dream of wearing a uniform and serving the country, the reality comes nowhere close.
While there is no support for the striking policemen, senior police officers, both retired and serving, blame a complete collapse of communication and lack of recruitment for the drastic action being planned by thousands of these low rung officers, doing a thankless job in the department.
Says a senior police officer, “It is very disturbing to see constables going on mass leave. This should not happen and while I do not support this strike as the police is a disciplined force, what is disturbing is that things have been allowed to come to this. As the police force provides an essential service to maintain harmony and peace in society, it too must be provided all facilities to make sure that its morale remains high at all times. This is in public interest. Regular filling of vacancies and interaction between the lower rung and higher officers is a must. These are doable things.”
The officer also believes there must be pay parity among services to keep the police happy and motivated. Others in the department point out that the last time a five year recruitment plan of constables was sanctioned was when Dr Ajai Kumar Singh was the state’s director general and inspector general of police.
Despite the lack of support for their planned protest, the constables believe they have no choice as they have been waiting to be heard for a very long time. “It is the constable who is on duty round-the-clock. If the city reels under a violent protest, it is the constable who is at the forefront, tackling the situation while his seniors remain seated in their air conditioned offices,” notes a police constable.
Inhuman working conditions 1. Harassment by seniors - It is the constable of the police force who is the only one on duty round the clock. If the city is reels under a violent protest, it is the constable who will be at the forefront bracing the situation while the seniors will be sitting in their air conditioned office. 2. Salary - The constabulary has been paid a minimal wage ranging from 15,000-20,000 whereas in neighbouring states the constables are paid – 35,000- 40,000 3. No leaves - The foot soldiers are entitled to have 15 days casual leaves but they are not allowed to use more than 5 -6 in a year. 4. Forced to work in inhuman conditions - the orderlies are forced to clean toilets, walk the dogs and clean the poop, wash undergarments of their children which ironically they don’t do at their respective homes. 5. No respect - what the foot soldier can complaint against the public when their own officers don’t give them respect.
The poem read: Like for every temple there is an idol, disciple (sic) is the lifeline for the uniform The police is the other name for discipline Don’t break the unity and spoil the reputation as discipline is your life. Dear policemen, If you disrespect discipline, you will lose public sympathy and love. Dear police brothers, state government has considered your strike call seriously First follow discipline Next all your demands will be met Dear police brothers, Those who wear uniform know its value No respect if we remove it Do not kill the discipline under pressure or misinformation
Police is another name for discipline Don’t bring bad name through indiscipline Discipline is your breath.
