Where is the mind without fear?

I was shocked to see the picture of Joel Elliot, a US journalist the other day. His bruised face shows the dark side of our police force. According to his statement that is sent to IB and external Ministry, he was beaten up brutally by Delhi police for trying to prevent four police men beating up a man in the dark. Police version of the story(which I doubt for sure) is that Joel was trying to steal a cab in a drunken state and was behaving violently. Even though it is true, how can they treat somebody like this? If this is the treatment towards a US journalist, what would be a lay man’s chance for justice? I have seen immense of time how people who live in the margins of society are beaten up by police for petty issues. Once in Karol Bagh(Delhi), I witnessed police slapping rikshaw-pullers who encroached into the restricted area to fetch passengers. The riksha-pullers withdrew from the spot believing they deserve it !

Our basic problem in India is that most of us are either unaware of laws or afraid of authorities. We have been taught not to question parents and teachers as they are the first authorities while growing up. Since childhood we are conditioned to live in a way designed by parents and society. Later we are obliged to obey other forms of authorities as power and money. So naturally we end up as passive people who hardly raise voice against injustice. Here police represents the unquestionable authority to take law into their hands with the virtue of their uniform. Indians hardly question the police as Joel did. The ingrained fear of public coupled with a passive attitude make police force as well other authorities behave like our masters. Our education too doesn’t encourage free thought, let alone question the injustice.

We are all mortal humans having our bad sides as well. So it is unwise to think some are above vices and beyond questioning. Our police force has to be more humane, because they are here to safe guard common people, not to harrasse them. Above all our education must be to enlighten the students with wisdom and knowledge. Only true knowledge opens the way for a mind that transcends fear.