EDITOR’S POINT OF VIEW: Need to “educate” police about “fresh” chapters of moral policing

A very tragic incident has occurred at Jalandhar yesterday. A girl traveling with her boyfriend in a car committed suicide after the police caught them in the presence of the media persons.

As per the media reports appearing in the Press today, a BA-I student threw herself before a train after her boyfriend was allegedly made to do sit-ups publicly by the police.

The police had stopped the girl alongwith her boyfriend during a special drive launched against eve teasers.

The media reports further says that Jalandhar’s Police Commissioner has already recommended an inquiry into the incident.

This is not the question as to what will be the outcome of the inquiry report. But, the question arises here that is this kind of “moral policing” is justified or not. The yesterday’s incident indicates as if we are living in the centuries-old era.

Are we living in such a society where an adult girl cannot move with her boyfriend publicly? Yes, if a couple creates nuisance at public place with their actions and otherwise something legal can be done. But it does not look justified to harass a couple publicly for no fault of theirs.

It is a hard fact that today’s younger generation is more wise and intelligent. The youngsters are completely cautious about their future and moral values. They want freedom. And, if they are enjoying freedom, without rendering any damage to the society or anyone else then there is no need to use the tool of “moral policing” on them.

Moreover, if a girl can walk with her boyfriend in the educational institutes then why they can’t walk at a public places.

It must be kept in mind that every couple, an adult boy and an adult girl, does not keep friendships with “bad intentions”. “Bad intentions” may in the minds of those who are watching them with “bad intentions”.

If we go into deep, the yesterday’s incident raises several questions. We are supposed to find answers to all these questions, to check recurrence of such incidents in the future.

Besides, there is a dire need to “educate” police about “fresh” chapters of moral policing.

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