top of page

By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 2:25:54 pm

Policing a Restless City

The Pune police’s crackdown on nightlife and assemblies exposes the uneasy nexus between crime, politics and public security AI generated image Pune: Pune likes to think of itself as Maharashtra’s cultured capital, a city of students, software engineers and retirees. But in the past decade or so, that reputation has taken a beating with the city increasingly turning into a netherworld where criminal gangs operate with growing audacity and where citizens are no longer certain that the state...

Policing a Restless City

The Pune police’s crackdown on nightlife and assemblies exposes the uneasy nexus between crime, politics and public security AI generated image Pune: Pune likes to think of itself as Maharashtra’s cultured capital, a city of students, software engineers and retirees. But in the past decade or so, that reputation has taken a beating with the city increasingly turning into a netherworld where criminal gangs operate with growing audacity and where citizens are no longer certain that the state can guarantee their safety. Faced with mounting public anxiety over deteriorating law and order, the Pune Police have recently imposed two stringent restrictions. Night-time checkpoints now dot the city's roads after 10 p.m. while food stalls, carts and riverside eateries are being ordered to shut early. Simultaneously, authorities have enforced a 14-day prohibition on public assemblies, effective from May 26. The measures have triggered an intense political debate. Crime Wave The immediate backdrop is an unmistakable rise in criminal activity. Across several neighbourhoods, local strongmen known as ‘Bhais’ and ‘Dadas’ continue to wield influence. Their reach extends beyond mere street-level intimidation. Many residents believe these figures enjoy varying degrees of patronage from political parties, creating a perception that law enforcement is either reluctant or unable to act decisively against them. Such perceptions erode public confidence in the police and strengthen the atmosphere of fear. Particularly troubling has been the escalation of gang rivalries. Violent confrontations involving koytas have become alarmingly common. What was once an occasional occurrence has evolved into a recurring feature of the city’s urban life. Attacks now take place in crowded public spaces and during daylight hours, signalling a brazen disregard for authority. The phenomenon has spread to Kothrud, regarded as one of Pune’s quieter and more settled suburbs. The area has found itself drawn into the orbit of gang violence, most notably through the turbulent history of the Andekar gang. The murder of Vanraj Andekar, a former corporator associated with the Nationalist Congress Party, marked a dramatic turning point. Investigators subsequently found that members of his own extended family were allegedly involved in the crime. Retaliatory killings followed as violence spilled onto major roads and public gatherings, while one accused gangster reportedly fled abroad. The rise of the so-called ‘Koyta Gang’ has become emblematic of this trend. To outsiders, the preference for machetes over firearms may appear puzzling. Yet law-enforcement officials argue that such weapons are often used to ensure a killing is completed. Their symbolism is equally important: the koyta serves not merely as a weapon but as an instrument of intimidation, projecting fear in neighbourhoods where gangs seek to establish dominance. Public Nuisance At the same time, the city’s authorities are grappling with a different, though related, challenge. Pune’s burgeoning night-time food culture has transformed several streets and riverside stretches into lively social spaces. But these gathering spots have also generated complaints about drunkenness, disorderly conduct and public nuisance. Residents have increasingly demanded intervention. The police response therefore reflects not only concerns about crime but also an attempt to restore civic order. Whether these measures prove effective remains uncertain. Restricting late-night activity may reduce opportunities for disorder, but it also affects legitimate businesses and social life.

Caste-based Census Sparks Nationwide Debate

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Caste-based Census

Caste-based identities continue to dominate rural India, directly or indirectly shaping electoral outcomes. Many major elections are influenced by specific caste groups. After the Bihar government released the first phase of its caste-based socio-economic survey, the caste census became a hot topic. The results, backed by evidence, showed improvements in the living standards and social status of marginalised communities, both in cities and villages. With parties like the JDU and NCP backing a caste census, there is growing momentum for the government to conduct one. However, every story has two sides—joy and sorrow. Even Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, raised concerns about the caste census.

Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of being “anti-Bahujan.” The clear meaning is that his father and forefather refused to execute a caste-based census, which might have far-reaching effects and even permanently fracture India’s social fabric. This may be negative for caste-based beneficiaries. The last caste census in India was conducted in 1931 by the British government. Those times were different from the present scenario. The data was made public and became the basis for the Mandal Commission Reports and reservation policies for Other Backward Classes. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has clarified that the caste-based population count data will not be used for core politics. But the agenda for politics is always twisted and expanded.

The Central Government also joined the legal debate by filing an affidavit with the Supreme Court, leaving the matter unresolved. India’s partition, rooted in the divide-and-rule strategy, is frequently cited as a cautionary tale. Including caste in official census data could further deepen social divides. This issue has become a political pressure point, with various states pushing the Centre for action. Although the Constitution uses the term “class” instead of “caste,” the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that caste is a relevant, and at times, sole or dominant criterion for defining a backward class.

After the release of caste-based census data in Bihar, discussions around conducting similar censuses have gained momentum in states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Karnataka, which has already conducted its own caste census, may release its data soon as well.

Notably, all these states are governed by anti-BJP parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also announced that Congress-ruled states have committed to carrying out caste censuses. Meanwhile, the BJP has remained silent on the matter, creating a significant roadblock.

Caste-based censuses focus on proportional representation in areas like jobs and education, with the argument that this will aid in targeted planning for the disadvantaged. However, the situation remains unclear, much like a foggy winter morning. The BJP’s stance on caste-based censuses and reservations seems different, as they fear the caste-based calculations could fragment their traditional Hindu voter base—an underlying concern for the party.

Professor Sanjay Kumar from The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, says, “Let alone the BJP; no party can openly oppose it; it is not free from danger. BJP gets a large number of votes from the OBC community, their population across the country would be around 52%. Another downside is that the caste-based censuses could disrupt the balance of socio-economic zones. Data theft is a common issue in government systems, and people may feel disconnected from their actual rights.

The moot question is that if the financial status of an ST/SC/OBC or Dalit citizen moves up by a few notches, will his social status change automatically? The lifestyle of any class will only change when the income of a particular class is changed. The actual source of income is employment. The reality is that only metro cities have enough place and space for workers. Aside from the GIDC and IT sectors, less than 30% of industries have their own designated vacancy periods. After a decade, the Jamnagar and Rajkot Corporations have opened their doors to newcomers alongside experienced staff. However, age and caste bias often operate behind the scenes. It’s important to recognise that poverty is also widespread among many upper-caste individuals, and their needs cannot be overlooked. In the overall interests of the nation, terms like SC/ST/OBC, Dalits, etc. must be deleted from the nation’s vocabulary. Every citizen should have only one classification, that of being an ‘Indian’, in the spirit of the constitution.

Last year, when the Bihar government decided to conduct a caste survey in the state, the BJP was also Nitish Kumar’s partner in the state government, and it supported it. Political expert and former professor of Tata Institute of Social Science, Pushpendra Kumar, says, “It is not that the BJP does not talk about caste. It tries to reveal the caste of the Prime Minister as well. For caste politics, the BJP also tried hard to raise the issue of Pasmanda Muslims.”

(The writer is a management professional based in Ahmedabad. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page