Islamophobia in police: 50% police officials feel Muslims are naturally prone to crimes, says report

The 2019 status of Policing in India report has revealed that one in every two police personnel surveyed feels that Muslims are likely to be naturally prone of committing crimes.

According to the report, it found that 35% of police personnel surveyed think it is very natural for a mob to punish the guilty in incidents of cow slaughter. 43% think it is natural for a mob to punish the culprit accused of rape.

In case of minor offences, a small punishment should be handed out by the police rather than a legal trial, felt 37% personnel interviewed.

The survey also found that 72% police officials experience “political pressure” during investigation of cases involving influential persons.

“One committed officer can make all the difference. But who will put that one officer there,” Justice Chelameswar said in this regard. The former SC Judge also spoke about his experiences as a judge in dealing with cases where the police had sidestepped the rules, reported The Indian Express

“What is the training we give our officers? (A) six-month crash course on civil and Criminal Procedure Codes, the (Indian) Penal Code and the Evidence Act cannot be deemed sufficient. Transfer as a form of punishment for displeasing someone is a problem. Even judges, who hold Constitutional posts, are not protected from undue transfers.”

The report prepared on police adequacy and working conditions by the NGO Common Cause and Lokniti programme of the of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies was released on Tuesday, August 27 by Jasti Chelameswar, former Supreme Court Judge.

The survey was conducted across 21 states, about 12,000 police officials were interviewed in police station and 11,000 of their family members were also interviewed.