Shillong: Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi slammed India’s policing methods on July 29, describing the current law and order system as outdated. She pointed to recent violence during Cockroach Janta Party protests over exam leaks as proof. The system remains stuck in the past. She stated, "Our law-and-order system is still colonial" when discussing the immediate deployment of riot forces.
Bedi argued that Delhi needs a dedicated protest site to stop clashes. She wants the government to designate Ramlila Maidan as the sole venue for all public demonstrations. It has the space and the facilities. Jantar Mantar is too small, narrow, and disrupts the nearby Connaught Place business district. Police use tear gas and lathis when they declare assemblies unlawful. This happens because the venue choice forces a conflict.
The former Puducherry Lt Governor proposed a new response strategy for student protests. Civil defence should be the first line of defense instead of riot squads. Students should handle other students. Women police should act as the second tier, with riot forces reserved only as a final measure. She compared this to the 2011 Anna Hazare protests, which remained peaceful without lathi charges under the UPA regime.
Bedi also weighed in on the recent exam leak scandal. She noted that former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan offered to resign to settle the matter. Refusing that offer turned it into an ego issue. She urged the government to expand current task force efforts into broader educational reforms. Officials must listen to online pressure groups rather than viewing all criticism as destructive. Governance needs to be responsive to the public.
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