This is, what is called the “Murgha position” in Pakistan.A way to punish someone – often young students in school – for minor infractions. But this particular story of crime and punishment in Pakistan is slightly more novel.
In anticipation of cyclone Phet, the government barred people from going into the Arabian Sea. One daredevil rickshaw wallah paid no heed to this warning and decided to use the unusually quiet beach and
boisterous waves to wash his rickshaw.
But his crime did not go unnoticed by the vigilant Pakistan police. The offender was caught and duly punished albeit in a rather creative way. But I guess there really aren’t any laws on the books about punishments for rickshaw washing in the sea when a cyclone approacheth!
This picture has been doing rounds on the internet and I don’t have a way to validate its authenticity or timing. But it does give us some food for thought. And since yesterday, I have been thinking whether to be appalled, amused or appreciative of the vigiliance and creativity of this police officer!
What do you think?
I think punishment without judiciary is wrong. This guy would’ve left easily if the policeman had just asked him to. Who can dare challenge a policeman with a rickshaw in the sea.
With punishment like this police made an enemy for themselves. This guy will probably never trust or respect police again.
On the contrary: I’ve seen and heard about people paying fines to Motorway police – happily or atleast by accepting their mistake – just because Motorway police treats people nicely. I remember a dialog from a Umar Shareef drama – don;t remember exact words -but ‘mafhoom’ was:
“meri qaom ko kabhi pyar nahi mila. agar inheN kabhi pyar de kar dekho tou ye log hamesha ke liye tumharay ho jayeen ge”
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “ab lag rha hai k ye PAKI police hai!!!”
– “gud work..:)”
– “Why do we have to humiliate to punish?”
– “we love pakistan and pak police”
– “Ek Jahil / unparh sipahee ker bhee kyaa saktaa hai. Jeeway Pakistan”
– “But I think he was very wise to give the rakshawala this punishment………”
– “shame…..shame….shame…..we used this trick when we were in school back in 1988……n they are applying now may be they should show some respect to 21st century.”
– “he was the person who trying to go dubai through auto by sea but police caught him…”
– “I think the guy would’ve preferred this to being fined. Still bizarre though!”
Besides the obvious risk of drowning etc…..SEA WATER DESTROYS ENGINES AND FRAMES due to salt corrossion.
On this one, I think the tulla may even be doing him a favor. The alternative would be a a trip to the police station or a fine, or letting him go. This is a mid point solution where the rickshaw driver does get a mild lesson about having broken the law but the punishment is not disproportionate.
As far as desi punishments go, this is not bad.
“It’s inhuman and unlawful for the Police to punish anyone like this. Punishment is decided by the judiciary and not the police. ”
Is there any clause in the constitution of Pakistan which forbids inhuman punishment?
If punishing of your wife by her husband is human (and legal!), humiliation of a student by a teacher is legal (and human!), then the punishment by the Police Officer is correct and just.