Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday participated in a function marking the 75th raising day of the Delhi Police in New Delhi.
On the occasion, the Home Minister took the salute at the Delhi Police Parade and awarded medals to Officers and Jawans of Delhi Police for their outstanding service and gallantry.
Congratulating Officers and Jawans of Delhi Police who received the Medal for Distinguished Service and Gallantry, Shah said that the acknowledgment of good work in any force encourages the entire force.
He also inaugurated the newly constructed DCP’s office complex at Rohini.
Spirit of Service and Devotion
Paying tributes to 79 Delhi Police personnel who laid down their lives while serving the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that their spirit of service and devotion will guide and inspire the police forces not only in Delhi but across the country.
He said that the most difficult duty is performed by police across the country and 35,000 personnel of the CAPFs and police of all States have been martyred while handling the internal security of the country, and we should all have the deepest regard for them.
Changing Nature of the Delhi Police
Talking about the changing nature and priorities of the Delhi police, the Minister said that the pre-independence police system worked to crush the freedom movement and maintain British power.
But after independence, the Delhi Police under the leadership of the country’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel started working with the motto of Peace, Service, and Justice, he added.
The Home Minister said that in the last eight decades, Delhi Police has touched many heights, proved its mettle in difficult times, and by accepting challenges has changed itself greatly.
Two Goals for the Delhi Police
The Home Minister also set two goals for the Delhi Police on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
He said that the first goal is to fill whatever gaps are there in Delhi Police in every area like investigation, discipline, the health of Jawans, welfare, facing the challenges of terrorism, curbing narcotics trade, facing cyber challenges, in the period from 75 to 80 years.
The second goal, he said, is to decide where does the Delhi Police want to see itself during the Centenary year of its establishment.
Role of Delhi Police during Covid Pandemic
Lauding the role of the Delhi Police during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the Delhi riots, the Home Minister said that the Delhi Police deserves accolades for the kind of role played by it during these tough times.
He said that the kind of work that Delhi Police did during the pandemic would hardly have been done by any other police team.
In the same period, there were chances of many incidents which were prevented very promptly by the Delhi Police because of which we feel safe today.
He said many times problems faced by the Delhi Police are not noticed. State police forces have to tackle law and order situations along with other challenges before the State.
Importance of Delhi as Capital
The Home Minister said that Delhi Police, being the police of the capital of the nation, has to protect dignitaries holding the Constitutional posts.
He said further that it has to ensure the safe conduct of major events including Republic Day and Independence Day and take care of everything including the security of foreign guests.
Being the capital of the country, the challenges of terrorism, narcotics, and security of the diplomatic area are also those of the Delhi Police.
Whatever happens in the world, its reaction is natural in the nation’s capital and at such a time, the security of the diplomatic area is also the responsibility of the Delhi Police.
The Union Home Minister said if we look back today, it is very difficult to find the origin of the Delhi Police, but I feel that Delhi Police is today standing before challenges due to this change and that has helped them reach where they are today.
Time and challenges do not wait for those who do not change themselves with changing times.
He said being the Home Minister, he can proudly say that Delhi Police has prepared and changed itself with the times and challenges and that is why Delhi Police is respected throughout the world today.
Importance of Perception Management
Shri Amit Shah said that many activities are in progress for the improvement of the Delhi Police and a Perception Management Department has also been created in Delhi Police.
It is very necessary that we need to look at the duty of the police from a different perspective and on basis of some stories and anecdotes we should not ignore the seriousness of the sacrifice, penance, and fulfillment of their duty.
When women folk tie the rakhi on Rakshabandhan on personnel of the Delhi Police, even at that time the police personnel of Delhi and the country stay alert so that there should be no untoward incident.
Even when we celebrate Holi, Deepawali, and Eid, police personnel have to worry about law and order, there is neither overtime nor duty hours.
The Union Home Minister said that the recently set Perception Management Department will not only place the difficulties of the police department before the public but also work on managing change in nature due to a difficult life faced by police personnel.
Challenges such as narcotics, terrorism, cyber-attacks, fake currency, and everyday crimes have been handled very well by the Delhi Police.
The Union Home Minister said that when the Centenary of Independence and of the Delhi Police will be celebrated, at that time Delhi Police will be successful in establishing their reputation as the best police force in the world.