Following the path of ‘Gandhigiri’, Delhi police, also referred at times as ‘Dil Ki Police’ (the police of the hearts), has started using methods of non-violence and peace to stop people from roaming around aimlessly and making them understand the importance of staying indoors.
This Sunday saw Delhi police refraining from imposing fines on people for violating rules, for a day. Instead, it adopted other peaceful methods like making defaulters recite a pledge to obey and even greeting them with flowers! The idea was mooted by the Commissioner of Delhi Police, Mr. S N Shrivastava and the initiative was first adopted by South West Delhi’s DCP, Mr. Ingit Pratap Singh, and his team and was further implemented in the entire city.
Talking to Indian Masterminds, Public Relations Officer of Delhi Police Mr. Chinmay Biswal said, “We knew that until and unless we don’t touch people’s hearts and make them realize the importance of lockdown from within, all the enforcements will go in vain. Therefore, for a day, we dropped the usual method of challans and punishments and adopted the principles of Gandhi to teach the violators.”
AN OATH TO REMAIN INSIDE
Instead of penalizing people that were roaming around without a purpose, Delhi police asked them to gather and made them take a pledge wherein they promised not to break the rules of lockdown and stay inside their homes. They also took oaths to maintain social distancing whenever outside and maintain cleanliness and hygiene around themselves.
CONSERVING ENVIRONMENT AS A PENALTY
Now that the public had already come out of their homes without a proper reason, the Delhi police decided to give them one. Violators were given saplings by the police and were asked to plants trees for environmental protection.
POSE FOR A ‘SELFIE’
“There were people who weren’t even wearing masks, so we provided them with it and asked them to click their picture on a special ‘selfie’ point that we made for them. The photograph that they took will always remind them to wear a mask when stepping outside,” stated Mr. Biswal.
FLOWERS FOR THE RULE BREAKERS
Additionally, the violators were presented with flowers in a bid to sensitize them. As Mr. Biswal told Indian Masterminds, “Sometimes what harsh measures can’t do, a little request and hope do. Looking at police officers, standing in the sun, joining hands, and requesting everyone to stay indoors must have pulled a little string in their hearts and might keep them indoors in the days to come.”
DELHI POLICE’S HAND FOR HELP
Since the very beginning of the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic and its following lockdown in 2020, Delhi police have been doing everything in their capacity to help the people and keep the city safe while curbing the spread of the virus.
When public transport came to a stop for an indefinite period of time last year, the migrants suffered hard. With no savings, work, and ration to feed on, they had no other choice than to walk back to their villages, kilometers far.
“It was a hard time for the daily wage workers. To provide a little help, we gave them a sheltered place and put up kitchens for them through community participation so they could have proper meals and don’t go hungry,” says Mr. Biswal.
Delhi Police is doing everything in their power to stop the spread of the virus, which includes keeping the public indoors. Where there are news and viral videos circulating the internet every day depicting violence being used by authorities on public roaming outside, Delhi police’s refreshing idea of spreading love and peace while simultaneously raising awareness is winning hearts all over.
