The Gujarat Police: Pawn or Player in the Political War?

In the political theatre of Gujarat, the police force often finds itself not on the stage of law and order, but squarely in the arena of partisan politics. The recent controversy involving Congress MLA and working president Jignesh Mevani, the subsequent protests by police families, and the swift intervention of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi have exposed a deep fault line in the state’s political-administrative relationship, revealing a clear double standard in how the ruling party addresses criticism of the khaki uniform.

The entire episode pivots less on police reform and more on political maneuvering, where the reputation and morale of the police force are weaponized for public consumption.

The Spark: Mevani’s “Janta Raid” and the ‘Servant’ Remark

The controversy ignited after Jignesh Mevani led a "janta raid" (people's raid) in Tharad, Banaskantha, publicly raising alarm over the alleged rampant and unchecked sale of liquor and drugs, often right next to schools. His primary target was the systemic corruption that allows these illegal activities to flourish, alleging that local police personnel were complicit and accepting bribes.

The flashpoint, however, was his choice of words in front of senior officials. Mevani reportedly warned the police that they would lose their jobs if they intimidated locals who dared to raise the issue. Crucially, he instructed the residents not to fear the force, stating pointedly that police personnel are merely "servants" of the public.

While Mevani’s intention was to highlight corruption and empower citizens, the use of the term "servants" and the direct threat of job loss were interpreted—or strategically spun—as a grievous insult to the dignity and sacrifice of the entire force.

The Backlash: Families on the Frontline

The reaction was immediate, widespread, and politically potent. Family members of police personnel, including women and children, organized large rallies and protests in Palanpur, Patan, and Tharad. Holding banners and shouting slogans, they demanded an unconditional apology and even Mevani’s resignation, accusing him of habitually targeting and insulting the police for cheap publicity.

This swift, organized response, involving the kin of officers on duty, immediately elevated the issue from a local law-and-order grievance to a matter of protecting the self-respect of the state machinery. While the anger of the police families is understandable—hearing a family member’s profession publicly denigrated is painful—the speed and uniformity of the protests strongly suggest a coordinated political effort. The opposition Congress subsequently alleged that the ruling establishment was orchestrating these rallies to divert attention from the actual corruption allegations raised by Mevani.

The Political Colour: Harsh Sanghvi's Defense

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi wasted no time in capitalizing on the vacuum, positioning himself as the staunch protector of the state’s police force. Without naming Mevani, Sanghvi delivered a sharp counter-punch, urging the police personnel not to be disheartened by "elected representatives" who try to "tarnish the reputation of all government employees over minor individual lapses."

His core message to the force was protective and defiant: "Do not worry, I am here."

By framing the issue as an unprovoked attack on the morale of dedicated public servants, Sanghvi successfully achieved two political goals: defending the administration's reputation against the corruption charge and establishing a clear emotional connection with the vast police electorate, casting Mevani and the Congress as anti-police antagonists. The controversy thus shifted completely from Mevani’s accusation of police corruption to Mevani’s insult to the police force.

The Hypocrisy Index: A Look at the BJP’s Past

The most critical lens for analyzing this episode is the BJP’s history of addressing its own members’ controversial run-ins with the police. The party’s vigorous defense of the police against Mevani contrasts sharply with its silence or passive approach when its own MLAs were involved in far more serious clashes with the administration.

Consider these past incidents:

1. Valsad MLA Bharat Patel: He was caught on video threatening police during a religious procession, allegedly warning them that he was capable of sparking a "riot" with just one word if they did not comply with his demands (specifically, returning a seized laptop). This was a direct challenge to law and order machinery, yet it did not trigger widespread protests from police families or a strong public denunciation from the state leadership.
2. Matar MLA Kesrisinh Solanki: He once threatened to resign, alleging gross inaction, corruption, and the flourishing of illegal liquor trade under the district’s In-charge SP and local officers. He claimed police were taking money from the accused. This was an internal BJP MLA making the exact same type of corruption allegation Mevani made, yet it was treated as an internal grievance rather than a public insult to the entire force.
3. Limbayat MLA Sangita Patil: BJP MLA Sangita Patil advised her workers to show their BJP "Page Pramukh" card if they were arrested by the police, and to call her directly if the police refused. This statement directly implicates the police in acting under political pressure and raises questions about their impartiality.

When a ruling party MLA threatens to unleash violence on cops or accuses the force of systemic corruption, the issue is often contained or dismissed. But when an opposition leader like Mevani raises identical concerns, it becomes an existential threat to the dignity of the entire police community.

This selective moral outrage confirms that the police force, in the current Gujarat political landscape, is often used as a convenient pawn. The administration is willing to ignore genuine internal criticism for party cohesion but will mobilize a powerful defense when the criticism comes from the opposition, converting an administrative failure into a political victory. The focus is not on addressing the alleged drug and liquor sales, but on punishing the messenger for the manner of his delivery.

The citizens of Gujarat are left to wonder: Does the government prioritize the integrity of the police force, or merely the politics of control?

- Abhijit

26/11/2025