In a recent event organized by the Indian Police Foundation, Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court expressed his concerns about the portrayal of law enforcement in mainstream cinema. His remarks were particularly directed towards blockbuster films like ‘Singham‘, which depict police officers delivering swift justice without regard for due legal processes, sending a ‘dangerous’ message.
The Singham Controversy
Justice Patel criticized the cinematic portrayal of hero cops delivering quick justice without due process, citing films like Singham. He highlighted the dangerous message this sends. In many movies, police officers are often depicted as crusaders who defy judges, characterized as docile and poorly dressed, and take justice into their own hands. Justice Patel said that such films encourage “impatience” with the rule of law and create a negative image of the police as “bullies, corrupt, and unaccountable.”
Justice Patel pointed out that ‘Singham’, a popular action film released in July 2011, culminates in a scene where the entire police force confronts a politician, symbolizing the delivery of justice. However, he questioned whether justice is truly served in such scenarios and emphasized the danger in promoting this narrative.
Criticism of Judges’ Portrayal
Justice Patel also criticized the portrayal of judges in movies, saying that they are often shown as “docile, timid, thickly spectacled, and often very badly dressed.” This, he said, reinforces the populist notion that the courts are not doing their job and that the police need to take matters into their own hands.
The Need for Patience and Due Process
Justice Patel urged society to reflect on its impatience with the legal process. He stressed the importance of patience in the legal process, cautioning against shortcuts that undermine the rule of law. He also noted that the negative image of the police is not unique to films.
“This is why when a rape accused is killed in an encounter while allegedly trying to flee, people think it is not just alright but it is celebrated. Justice has been served, they feel, but has it?” he said.
Justice Patel’s remarks underscored the need for a balanced perspective on law enforcement and due process. Justice Patel’s comments come at a time when the makers of the Singham franchise have just started shooting for third instalment of the Ajay Devgn-starrer.
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