UP officials cite Bhagat Singh and Buddha to discuss duty, justice and police force

During Independence Day addresses in Lucknow, Rinkoo Singh Rahee, a sub-divisional magistrate, invoked revolutionary Bhagat Singh to illustrate how contemporary priorities differ from historic sacrifice, calling the freedom fighter "useless" in a provocative contrast. He expressed shame over a pending case that had lingered for three decades, using it to question whether current justice aligns with the ideals of past martyrs.

In Meerut, senior superintendent of police Avinash Pandey recounted an episode from Prince Siddhartha's life, before he became Gautama Buddha, where the prince concealed a wounded swan to save it, framing the act as a justified lie. Pandey linked this narrative to police use of weapons, suggesting that force, when applied responsibly, aims to maintain peace. He emphasized that greater authority entails greater accountability, echoing the maxim "with great power comes great responsibility," and cautioned officers against fostering division along caste, religion or language lines. Both speakers called on public servants to view their roles as duties beyond personal gain.