Cop’s suspension over dance triggers debate

Varying opinions expressed about privacy of personnel

LAHORE:

There is a thin line between personal and professional life of a cop in the country and that too is blurred.

The suspension by the Sargodha district police officer (DPO) of a constable whose video of a dance during a wedding ceremony had surfaced triggered a social media debate on the issue.

DPO Tariq Aziz said while issuing the order, “Police’s job is to discourage such activities. Participation means encouragement. No policeman is allowed to indulge is such acts.”

A citizen, Ayaz Butt, supported he suspension, writing, “He brought bad name to a reputed, mannered and disciplined department so his punishment is justified.”

Malik Hussain Hujjan wrote, “With due apology, suspension is not sufficient. He should be court martialled like officials of the armed forces so that no one could dare to taint the image of the department.”

However, Naem Khan Baloch wrote, “Each individual has his personal life. He should have been punished if was in uniform.”

Nasir Qureshi wrote, “Celebration during a marriage ceremony of a relative, friend or cousin should not be banned. It is not appropriate if one is not allowed to celebrate during a marriage ceremony.”

Mehran Baloch wrote, “His excellency’s notice is against Article 19 of the Constitution. Every citizen has a right of expression”.

Altaf Gondal wrote, “Was the police employee on duty and in uniform? If so, he can be held accountable. Otherwise, expressing your feelings in a private event is a separate matter.”

On the other hand, respecting personal freedom appears to be an alien concept for the police when it comes to dealing with the citizens also. Since the Ziaul Haque regime, the police took moral policing under its purview also.

Police units flaunt their number of raids and arrests of citizens during dance parties held privately even at marriages. A large portion of their performance reports cover the raids on parties, hotels etc.

Until, the state brings a clear policy about what is personal, immoral and a cognisable offence, such confusion will remain prevalent.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2022.