Dear Editor,
The new government appears indecisive at times. Some may label it flexible, or maintaining fluidity in its options and lacking the official dogmatism hitherto the order of the day. Sometimes the gauntlet has to be thrown down, and there must follow the consequential eyeball-to-eyeball close-up. I believe that this should have been the case in the (now delayed) police promotion affair.
What is the issue here contributing at the midnight hour to this unprecedented delay? What is the real issue? Is it the belated discovery that some people have been left out? Or is it that the entire list is now noticed to be riddled with problem children? Who among those in line for elevation ‒ vetted, screened, and scrubbed ‒ taints the pool? What and who is a source of controversy, of hesitation, and of provoking second thoughts?
If it is any of these, or otherwise, the government should bite the bullet and still move ahead one way or another, and not hide under the calendar. It must show strength, decisiveness, and courage. It has to demonstrate leadership before a group reeling and trying to find its footing, any footing. As the police chief said, “It is not good for morale.” Further, I do not think that it is good for public confidence and trust, and hangs an unnecessary cloud over the heads of those tipped to be on the list, and none more so than the very senior officers.
If this delaying action is the result of opposition mewlings, then that is even worse. The thoughts and words of the opposition, as uttered through its two faces of mischief and dissonance, should be ignored and dismissed out of hand. After an eternity of major unparalleled mishandling of the force, of reducing it to its current weak and near disreputable state, this opposition party has no credibility or standing to comment on, or criticize, certain areas.
The people of this society, however, must be listened to carefully and consistently. The government’s antenna ought to be so finely tuned as to discern early any gathering ripples of anxiety. These must not be allowed to grow from ripples to the lashing ruckus of surging disagreements. Thus, I suggest to the government and its captains: listen to citizens; take a stand; and move forward. The people can absorb some level of mistakes once these are dealt with in an open and straightforward manner. This must be the standard. Alas, it is now too late for the government to retreat from the announced delay.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
