Deana Heath, Professor of Indian and Colonial History at the University of Liverpool, along with Jinee Lokaneeta from Drew University, have published a new book titled Policing and Violence in India. The book highlights the pressing need for police reform in India.
In a conversation about the book, Deana noted, "India proclaims itself a growing economic powerhouse and the world's largest democracy." This raises a question: what is shocking about the Indian police force, and how does this contrast with the image India seeks to project? Deana has been researching this topic for the past 15 years, which is examined in the book.
When discussing India's police forces, Deana stated that they are "widely regarded as lawless, violent, and unaccountable." The statistics regarding deaths in police custody are alarming, "2,152 people died in police custody between 2021 and February 2022 alone." Even more alarming, is the lack of accountability for these deaths. "Not a single police officer, for example, has been convicted for the deaths of 500 people in police custody, largely due to torture, between 2005 and 2018," Deana remarked.
So what can be done about this continued reputation for violence, and what are the lasting effects? In the final section of Policing and Violence in India, the editors explore the implications and legacies of police brutality and violence. This section includes numerous essays from notable scholars and lawyers emphasising the urgent need for accountability and police reform.
Find out more about Professor Deana Heath
The book can currently be purchased in India only.