Answer:

Introduction:

In India, the issue of cinematic liberty vs peoples emotion and belief have often created law and order problems. Article 19 provides freedom of expression but it’s a breach by Cinema makers as well as the common public creating too much concern. Above mentioned case study is a perfect example of how cinema and sensitive issues create problems of daily livelihood.

To solve case we have a following stakeholders:

1. IAS Officer (Rohit Kumar)
2. Police officers in charge
3. Filmmakers and film organizations.
4. Leader of a communal group.
5. Family member of that deceased man.
6. Society at large.

Ans (a)

Ethics of police firing:

• From a consequentialist standpoint, a morally right act (or omission from acting) is one that will produce a good outcome, or consequence.
• If the protesting crowd turns violent and creates a negative impact to public property and life of citizens then controlling the situation is unavoidable to police and need a duty bound approach.
• This may call for using tear gas, water guns, pellet guns, rubber cannons or even real bullets— but in such cases the limit to the use of force is set by permissible harm or minimum deterrence to anti-social elements.

In the above case, police did not use tear gas, water guns, pellet guns, rubber cannons and directly used bullets, creating new questions also.

The justification of firing has different views:

Reasons:

• Question rises on police capability.
• Why direct firing when police can use many alternatives like water cannon, teargas, barricade, lathi charge, etc.
• Before firing any round, senior official permission required.

But on a larger good , According to J.S .Mill , as ”the greatest happiness for the greatest number” is the guiding principle within utilitarianism. To protect public property and maintain social peace is prime responsibility. But that has to be done with minimum collateral damage and police have not followed the minimalist approach in this case. Overall police firing could have been avoided.

Ans (b)

The best course of action to compensate the death of the young man would be as follows:

1. Providing immediate financial assistance to the victim’s family: Rohit Kumar should take fast actions to provide immediate financial assistance to the victim’s family to help them cope with the loss and meet their basic needs.
2. Offering a job to a family member: The dead man was the only earning man in the family so, The government may offer a job to one of the victim’s family members to ensure that they have a steady source of income.
   
3. Providing education and healthcare facilities: The government could provide education and healthcare facilities to the victim’s family, especially the children, to ensure that they have a bright future.
4. Conducting an impartial inquiry: An impartial inquiry should be conducted to find out who fired the bullet and hold them accountable for their actions if question arises on the accountability and answerability of the officer .
5. Ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future: The department should take steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future by improving police training, implementing stricter guidelines for the use of force, and promoting peaceful protests.

Ans (c)

Ideal way to dealing with similar situation in future:

1. Promoting tolerance and respect for different religions and beliefs: Here from school ,family and society each individual should inculcate the values of tolerance. Our great freedom struggle movement is the best example of peaceful living.
2. Ensuring that films and other media do not contain offensive or disrespectful content towards any religious figures or communities: Need strict structural measures from the SENSOR BOARD regarding such movies. Standard criterias should be made for content delivery.
3. Increasing police presence and training to handle riots and protests peacefully: By using advanced training and effective technological use we can update the police force for early preparedness .
4. Training regarding use of alternative methods like water canon, tear gas etc over direct firing bullets.
5. Promoting dialogue and communication between different communities to prevent misunderstandings and conflict: Use mohalla committees and different social organisations or religious festivals to increase dialogue .
6. Strict legal action should be taken against those who incite violence or engage in destructive behaviour during protests.

Conclusion

All religions teach men to be good and peaceful. Intolerance is the religion of the negative. “The essence of true religious teaching is that one should serve and befriend all. I learnt this in my mother’s lap.” –

Mahatma Gandhi. That’s why social tolerance and inculcating values is the most necessary thing.