Should an IPS officer be penalised for not saluting a Minister?

Rishiraj Singh, Kerala’s most celebrated IPS officer, has a penchant for making news in whichever department he works, by his bold and fearless action against the guilty.

During the LDF regime, Singh was one of the three officers handpicked by the then Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to lead a demolition drive against encroachment in Munnar Hills. The mustachioed IPS officer hit national headlines by mercilessly bulldozing illegal buildings on encroached Government land.

When he was the head of the anti-piracy cell, Singh raided a studio owned by fellow IPS officer Tomin J Thachankery, known to be close to the CPM leadership. Singh was removed but then Chief Minister Achuthanandan ordered the DGP to reinstate him.

After a brief Central deputation to the CBI in Mumbai, Rishiraj Singh resurfaced in Kerala as Transport Commissioner. While holding that post, he used to travel in a lorry posing as a crew member wearing a lungi and a headgear to catch the policemen demanding bribes. Those caught taking bribes were suspended on the spot and those who did their duty honestly were rewarded then and there.

As Transport Commissioner, he made all buses to install speed control devices and all two-wheeler riders to wear helmets. But he rubbed the then Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan the wrong way by deciding to make seat belts mandatory for front seat and backseat occupants of cars, after then Union minister Gopinath Munde died in a car accident while sitting in the rear without a belt.

He was removed as Transport Commissioner and posted as Chief Vigilance Officer of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in the rank of IG. After assuming charge of the new post, Singh led squads to business units and the homes of VVIPs to detect power theft and caught many red-handed. His raid on a leading business group cost him his job in KSEB and was since appointed as ADGP of Armed Forces Bettalion.

The new post is normally not a haven for news makers, but Singh proved otherwise. At the passing out parade of women police personnel at the Police Academy in Thrissur the other day, he declined to stand up and salute Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on his arrival as the Chief Guest of the function.

All hell broke loose as the ruling political establishment came down heavily on Singh for showing disrespect to the Minister. Even Chief Minister Oommen Chandy held him guilty and hinted at action against him.

In the face of raging criticism, Singh clarified that as he was watching the parade line-up, he didn’t notice the Minister arriving through the back side of the venue. Dismissing the allegation of misconduct, Singh said: “The Facebook and Whatsapp postings are creating confusion among the public. When we are sitting on the dais facing the parade, the Minister entered from behind. How will we see a person who is behind us? At the parade we are supposed to get up only when the national anthem is played.” Singh’s explanation has further angered his critics.

The political establishment and the police administration in Kerala are now divided on the question of propriety of Singh’s conduct. Supporters of Singh point out that as per the drill manual and parade protocol, Singh is not supposed to stand up and salute the Minister when the parade is already on. They argue that Singh is supposed to stand up only when national anthem is played and salute only when the national flag is hoisted.

But his critics say more than protocol, a police office is supposed to honour democratic tradition by saluting a Minister, who is an elected representative of the people.

In the normal case, the political establishment would have suspended Singh instantly, but what holds them back is the groundswell of public support enjoyed by Singh, who has become a household name in Kerala, thanks to his bold action against the corrupt. This is evident from the support that is pouring in for him in the social media ever since the salute row broke out.

But, by all indications, his days in the Armed Forces Bettalion are numbered.

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