The Curious Case of Civic Volunteers: Supreme Court Questions
Explore the growing controversy surrounding civic volunteers in West Bengal, their alleged misuse of power, political involvement, and the recent RG Kar incident that has raised questions about recruitment practices, accountability, and their expanding influence within the police force.
Civic volunteers – the unsung heroes of modern governance, or so they claim. In recent times, these individuals have been thrust into the limelight, for better or worse. Much like the weather forecast in Calcutta, the role of civic volunteers seems to stir up debate every now and then, with their actions coming under scrutiny more often than one would care to count.
The most recent episode in this ongoing saga centres around Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, now accused in the infamous RG Kar incident. It’s safe to say, this has poured petrol on the already smouldering fire of controversy. You see, opposition parties have long been banging on about how some civic volunteers, by virtue of working closely with the police, have become somewhat “invincible.” This latest debacle, they argue, is proof positive of just how much muscle these volunteers have acquired.
Now, here’s where it gets even more muddled. Allegations have emerged that the local ruling party – aided by a few enthusiastic MLAs, panchayat heads, and councillors – has been making recruitment recommendations based more on political allegiance than actual merit. One might say the whole business smacks of a ‘jobs for the boys’ scenario. The Supreme Court itself has raised an eyebrow at the whole affair, questioning the very legality and process of civic volunteer recruitment. All the while, the state government is frantically preparing affidavits on their appointments and wages, in response to the court’s orders.
If you’re thinking, “Blimey, this sounds like a right pickle,” you’re not wrong. Former and current police officers have also joined the fray, lamenting the lack of an official appointment letter for these civic volunteers. Apparently, this small oversight makes it difficult to launch departmental inquiries, even when a civic volunteer is found dabbling in dubious activities. Some say these volunteers now hold more sway than even the average police constable. Yet, when caught in a sticky situation, their ability to rejoin the ranks post-bail is a bit of a head-scratcher. The same can’t be said for their uniformed counterparts, who face the chop if found guilty in a departmental inquiry.
Ah, but why no appointment letters, you ask? It’s all down to the “contractual” nature of the job, according to official sources. These volunteers are paid from police funds, controlled by a division of the police itself, and they each have an ID and number. And over the past 13 years, more than 100,000 civic volunteers have been recruited to help in hospitals, municipal offices, and even in the state intelligence department. Yet, their monthly earnings remain a modest 10,000 rupees, with a few perks thrown in for good measure. Think health insurance, a bump in retirement benefits, and an allowance increase – not quite an Etonian education, but not shabby either.
Technically speaking, anyone aged between 20 and 30, with a minimum of an eighth-grade education, can apply. There’s an interview process chaired by the police commissioner, and if they’re lucky, the applicants might even get some training. The trouble is, the training seems to be a bit hit-and-miss. And after the RG Kar fiasco, training has now become the flavour of the month for the powers that be in Nabanna (the state’s administrative hub).
One police officer expressed his frustration with the system, “Civic volunteers were meant to help with traffic control or crowd management during festivals, but some have ended up involved in things like investigations, which they shouldn’t be anywhere near.” The Kolkata High Court, too, has chipped in, stating that civic volunteers shouldn’t be involved in law and order matters. Yet, during elections, there have been whispers – not so subtle ones at that – about their involvement in influencing voters.
In another curious twist, civic volunteers have even found their way into critical departments like the Special Task Force. Some officers have voiced concerns about sensitive information leaking, yet taking legal action seems as difficult as catching the last Calcutta metro on a rainy day.
One particularly revealing incident involved a senior officer reprimanding a civic volunteer. Mere minutes later, the local MLA was on the blower, cautioning the officer to “go with the flow” and warning of dire consequences if the issue reached the higher-ups. It seems, in the world of civic volunteers, even a ticking-off can come with strings attached.
So, where does this leave us? In classic Bengali fashion, one might say, “Jay Jay Lonkay shai hoy Rabon” Civic volunteers were supposed to be helpful assistants, but somewhere along the line, things have gone awry. Instead of simply helping with traffic or crowd control, some have become entangled in the murky world of power, politics, and privilege. And as the dust settles, one can’t help but wonder if, this situation will ever truly be resolved, or if it’s destined to remain forever in a state of drizzle.
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