Sir — The article, “Poisoned stick” (July 28), by Ruchir Joshi, emphasizing the urgency of police reforms in India and across the world, is thought-provoking. Joshi’s acquaintance is right to underline the fact that there is need for the police force to exist but, at the same time, it is necessary to make efforts to sensitize the forces. It is true that the level of policing has reached an abysmally low point under the current regime in India. But it is the people in power who inculcate and abet the unethical policies. In India, beating a confession out of an accused by the police who consider themselves above the law has become a normal practice because of the impunity that they enjoy. Reports suggest that the police often pass off custodial deaths on account of torture as suicides or attribute them to co-morbidities. The officers higher up in the hierarchy must also have a role in defending the errant policemen. Data reveal that between 2001 and 2018 there were around 1,727 recorded deaths in police custody, but only 26 policemen were convicted of custodial deaths.

The former home minister, Indrajit Gupta, had taken up the cause of police reform sincerely and made attempts for the country to break out of the colonial system of policing. In 2006, the Supreme Court, too, directed state governments to set up a security commission to insulate the police from extraneous pressure, a police establishment board to provide autonomy to the police in matters relating to personnel, and a complaints authority to ensure a higher level of accountability by the police. But even today the states seem to be dragging their feet. Unless the ruling dispensation in each state takes the matter seriously, police reform will remain a distant dream in India.

Jahar Saha,
Calcutta

Sir — Reform in the police force has been long due in India. It is now time to bring about a change in the behavioural and ethical code by which the force conducts itself. But it should also be noted that the misbehaviour of a few can give the whole force a bad name. As such, even the policemen who are dutiful and honest end up being resented by the common people.

While a nexus between the police and political leaders cannot be condoned, perhaps there is need for a deeper look at the circumstances that lead to such alliances. Not every policeman is part of such nexus for profit: one can also be coerced into it out of fear of losing the job on account of defiance. Dedication to one’s vocation and its true purpose — this applies to all working citizens, and particularly to ones in uniform — is of utmost importance.

Alok Ganguly,
Kalyani

Sir — The recent murder of George Floyd in the United States of America and the heinous death of a father and son in Tamil Nadu in police custody has brought police brutality into the limelight. There is no denying that policing while abiding by the rules is difficult, but this is no excuse for resorting to torture.

It is also worrying when extra-judicial killings are lauded by the common people. They should remember that one is innocent until proven guilty, and any deviance is not acceptable. Otherwise, what is the point of having any law at all?

Debapriya Mondal,
Hooghly

Time to go

Sir — It was disappointing to learn that the iconic Spanish goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, has hung up his boots (“Casillas calls time”, Aug 5). Nicknamed ‘Saint Iker’ for his spectacular saves, Casillas has been one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

Casillas has had a memorable two decades. As captain of the national team, he led Spain to victory at the UEFA Euro 2008. Spain also won its first World Cup in 2010 under the captaincy of Casillas, where he held a joint-record of five clean sheets, winning the Golden Glove award. That win made Spain overcome the tag of a jinxed football superpower and the team became a force to reckon with. ‘Tiki-taka’ footballing, too, came to the fore.

Casillas has won many accolades in his career — his records would have been unparalleled if only he had not narrowly lost the International Federation of Football History and Statistics’s World’s Best Goalkeeper of the 1st Decade of the 21st Century award to Gianluigi Buffon. Nonetheless, Casillas has a way of striking chords at a personal level. He was one of the reasons why many football lovers, myself included, followed Real Madrid. During his term there, he defined a generation of world-class goalkeepers. It is comforting to know that Casillas will reportedly act as advisor to the club’s president in the next chapter of his career.

Dyutiman Bhattacharya,
Calcutta

Sir — The news that one of the best goalkeepers of present time, Iker Casillas, has announced his retirement from professional sport was disheartening. Casillas — both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team must be grateful to him — has left his mark in history as the skipper who lifted his country’s maiden World Cup in 2010 as well as two consecutive European Championships in 2008 and 2012. Casillas and his unmatched talent will undoubtedly be missed not only by thousands of his fans but also by all football lovers across the world.

Sourish Misra,
Calcutta

Better safe than sorry

Sir — While the Dutch government has decided against advising citizens to wear face masks in crowded areas — the authorities believe that research has not proven the use of face masks to be effective in curbing the spread of Covid-19 infection — the city of Amsterdam has gone against the national policy and made them mandatory. Following the relaxation of lockdown rules in July, the Netherlands has seen a spike in coronavirus cases. Given that leading scientists are yet to fully understand the nature of the virus and come out with a cure, all possible preventive measures should be taken in view of the safety of the people.

Asmita Sen,
Calcutta