Citation

Raghavan RK. Publius 2003; 33(4): 119-134.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Temple University, Center for the Study of Federalism, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

India has a substantial terrorist problem, especially in the Northeast and in the northwestern state of Jammu and Kashmir state. Somewhat related to this is tension between the majority Hindu community and the significant Muslim minority. Hindu-Muslim clashes in Gujarat during early 2002 led to open accusations of government connivance and police partisanship. While the Indian Police Service has acquired a professional elan in handling terrorism, its religious neutrality therefore continues to be questioned. This image problem is compounded by a political system that fosters police identification with the ruling political party. The ambience of corruption has also contributed to declining standards of personal rectitude among the higher police echelons. A lack of political will poses the significant obstacle to major police reforms in the foreseeable future.