Unbecoming conduct

It was an avoidable minister-SP spat that was mishandled. Both sides should have exercised restraint as demanded by the positions they hold. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij not only entered into a needless controversy but also told the woman police officer to “get out” of the meeting he was holding. Even if the minister found the police work unsatisfactory or her behaviour objectionable, there is a way to go about it. Insulting an officer in public or creating a scene is not the right way. Every individual is entitled to respect and the uniform does not deprive one of this basic human need. 

The Health Minister, district administration officials and the police officer were hearing people’s grievances in Fatehabad district, when the gripe between Fatehabad SP Sangeeta Kalia and Vij reached a crescendo, pushing grievances of the public to the background. The spat shifted the focus from the issue of illegal sale of liquor in the district, which was under discussion at the time, to the bickering between the minister and the SP. The recording of the event has gone viral, provoking much public ire.  The juvenile reaction to the situation by the minister undermines the very purpose of setting up district grievance committees, which are aimed at making governance more accountable.

Haryana politicians are notorious for their harassment of officers. One IAS officer’s transfers have set a record of sorts. An IFS officer was hounded out of the state. Lack of courtesy in the ministerial conduct, though not unusual, was bad enough. Worse was the immediate transfer of the SP. The action is one-sided. The Chief Minister may deem it fit to ignore the minister's obnoxious behaviour, people at large do not easily forgive such arrogant display of authority. What is the message that the incident sends across? That a minister is always right. Any disagreement or argument can invite punishment. No matter how good your work, you have to learn to humour the minister. Pragmatic civil servants know this already and get lucrative postings and post-retirement assignments as a reward.