The security of the Prime Minister is the duty and responsibility of every state in the country and it does not paint a good picture when a person who is heading the country is left stranded on a flyover with state police doing nothing, but acting as a mute spectator. The committee which has now submitted its report has held the police responsible for the security breach, terming the cops negligent.
At the advent of the incident which happened in January, it was evident that Punjab police had not done the proper groundwork—or were told not to do so—to ensure the safe and smooth passage of the PM’s cavalcade. It was known the route that the PM was taking was witnessing protests by farms, and it was natural that a contingency plan should have been in place to avoid any obstacle, ensuring that the PM reaches his destination. But what happened was otherwise, the PM was seen stranded, and the police and other concerned officials were busy passing the buck while the Chief Minister pleaded cluelessness about any such thing happening in his state.
It needs to be noted and ensured by the states that the security of the PM always remains a top priority, and while the political rivals are free to express their views, and offer resistance on various matters, the same should not be allowed to go beyond a point where the safety and security of the important people of the country are jeopardized. At the same time, the committee which has been probing the security breach has suggested the up-gradation and remedial measures in the security of the PM, which is something that should not be overlooked, rather, the necessary measures should be taken without any further delay. On the part of the Punjab Chief Minister, his gesture of reaching out to the PM and accepting the fault of the Punjab Police, or of the state machinery as a whole, is what should have been done earlier. But better late than never, the Punjab incident, which happened out of sheer political rivalry should not be seen getting repeated because India stands for coexistence, respect, and reverence despite political differences and that is what needs to take the center stage, no matter who the PM is.
