But Can Police Walk the Talk?
SHIMLA: As Shri Ashok Tewari, IPS, steps in as the new Director General of Police (DGP) Himachal Pradesh, he’s wasted no time in rolling out attention-grabbing directives — from workplace dignity for women cops to grand promises of wiping out the drug menace.
But as the state police march ahead under fresh command, many are asking: will this go beyond posters, banners, and feel-good slogans?
Women Safety: Beyond Manners and Manuals?
Within days of taking charge, DGP Tewari issued an advisory (dated June 14) directing all officers to treat their women colleagues with respect, ensure a harassment-free environment, and foster a culture of dignity and inclusion.
Special all-women WhatsApp groups are to be formed in every police unit, overseen by senior women officers.
Sounds progressive, yes — but is this a culture change or just another round of "decorative declarations"?
Women in the force and rights groups say the issue isn’t etiquette, it’s systemic mindset.
“Advisories are fine, but will there be accountability if senior officers misbehave?
Where’s the independent complaints committee?” asked Meena Chauhan, an advocate and women’s rights activist in Shimla.
Others called it another instance of “awareness wallpapering” — catchy instructions with no monitoring on ground.
Marathon vs. the Drug Market: Who’s Winning?
The second big announcement from the new DGP is the 12th HP Police Half Marathon set for June 29 at Shimla’s Ridge.
Titled “नशे को मात... देंगे एक साथ!” (Together, we will defeat drugs!), the event is backed by high-voltage appearances from the Governor and Chief Minister.
It’s aimed at raising awareness. But does it translate to results? Many observers are not convinced.
“Every year they run, shout slogans, click group photos — and every year, synthetic drugs and chitta tighten their grip on Himachal’s hills,” said Rahul Negi, a college lecturer from Shimla.
“What’s the point of a race when rehab centres are underfunded and peddlers are out on bail?”
Civil society organisations, school heads and youth groups are calling for a post-event audit.
How many students were engaged after last year’s marathon? How many peddlers were caught? Did local police act on tips received?
Restoring Morale Amid Credibility Crisis
One of the biggest challenges staring DGP Tewari in the face is rebuilding the credibility of a demoralised force.
The morale of the police has taken a hit in recent months — with SP Shimla-level allegations against a top police official and the Chief Secretary, a matter currently under the High Court’s watch.
Worse, the shadow of the Gudiya custodial death case still looms large, with a CBI court recently convicting seven police officers in the case that shook public faith in law enforcement.
Adding fuel to fire is the recent death of Vimal Negi, where the family alleged a sloppy and biased investigation by local police. The High Court had to step in and hand over the probe to the CBI, which is now investigating the matter independently.
These episodes have seriously dented public confidence in the fairness and neutrality of police investigations.
For Tewari, the task is not just to issue circulars and slogans — but to restore the internal morale of the force while re-earning the public’s trust in the promise of justice.
Words Must Become Work
DGP Tewari’s words sound promising: “Gender sensitivity is not just a guideline, but a principle we must live by.” But the challenge now is to move from catchphrases to consequence.
The Himachal Police needs to build in feedback loops with institutions, NGOs, and the media.
Without grassroots collaboration, events like these risk becoming “hashtag campaigns without a backbone.”
Will the new DGP steer the force away from sloganism and towards real, measurable change?
That depends not on how loudly the police cheer on the Ridge — but how consistently they follow up in the alleys of Kullu, the streets of Solan, and the schools of Kangra.
#TalkIsNotEnough #WomenInUniform #FromSloganToAction #RestoreTheForce
