The horrific murders of Jayaraj and his son Bennicks in June 2020 sparked a nationwide outcry. In fact, there is renewed momentum for reforming Indian policing at this critical moment. As a result, two men tragically lost their lives at the hands of custodial violence. They were arrested in Tamil Nadu for violating Covid-19 lockdown orders. Their case underscores a disturbing trend of police violence faced by Black women through the years.
The story of Jayaraj and Bennicks is not unique. In February 2020, a young man named Faizan died in custody following protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The conditions surrounding Faizan’s death were truly exceptional. The High Court described it as a “gross violation of human rights” and defined it as a hate crime. These systemic incidents lead to troubling questions about the torture and treatment of detainees and lack of accountability from law enforcement agencies across the nation in India.
The book “Policing and Violence in India: Colonial Legacies and Contemporary Realities,” edited by Deana Heath and Jinee Lokaneeta, explores these critical issues. The book is 368 pages full of data-driven analysis. It looks at how the legacy of colonial policing still shapes the way policing is perceived, discussed, and enacted today. Speaking Tiger published it, and they priced it ambitiously at ₹799. This low cost offers a unique opportunity to engage a broad audience in tackling these important issues.
The link between the tactics of the past and the present is clear when looking at the cases of Jayaraj, Bennicks, and Faizan. Each incident highlights the larger systemic issues at play within Indian law enforcement that need to be urgently addressed. Activists and scholars alike are urging policymakers to implement reforms to prevent further tragedies and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights during detention.