Sanjukta Parashar, an IPS officer who hails from the state of Assam has recently tweeted about the sexism she faced by the Delhi Police. Parashar who was reportedly stopped by the Delhi Police in spite of travelling in an official SUV says that the police department of Delhi needs gender sensitisation.
She also talked about how it is difficult for the state police to believe that a woman of her age in civilian clothes and driving an official SUV by herself could be an IPS Officer of her rank. Parashar also hinted at the elitist police sub-culture that is prevalent in society.
In her tweet, the IPS officer wrote, "Why is it difficult for Delhi Police to believe that a woman my age, in civvies, driving an official SUV by herself, could be an IPS officer of my rank? Which is more tragic: casual sexism or elitist police sub-culture? #DilKiPolice needs gender sensitization!"
People have reacted to this tweet in a number of ways, whether it be criticising the police department for sexism, sharing their own similar stories, or blaming the working of the police force.
A user replied to the tweet saying that the people should be taught the basics of the identification process, calling the incident sad.
"Saddest indeed. These people should be taught basic identification procedures. Reminds me of a time when I as a young journo crossed Banderdewa Checkpost by showing my ration card instead of Inner Line Permit. The Ashoka emblem did it..." sic.
A woman named Rajeshwari replied to the tweet saying that she also faces similar incidences of sexism at her workplace as people cannot believe that she is the architect of a construction site.
KBS Sidhu, who is an IAS officer of the Punjab Cadre according to his Twitter bio, said that he does not think that it is a gender issue but is the image that the lower police ranks associate with an IPS officer. He said that a young male in casual clothes would have been similarly pulled up and shared his story saying that he faced something similar in Punjab 1987.
Another user replied saying, "THIS Down pointing backhand index in our country must stop for the sake of genuine respect for our women. Though the astute lady IPS officer here @seekingsanjukta has put it with a pinch of humour, that’s her masterstroke! But it doesn’t take away the sting. High time we INTROSPECT. #DELHIPOLICE #India" sic.
Nishtha Gautam, a Senior Editor at The Quint chose a sarcastic way to criticise the police department for their casual sexism and said that maybe they think Parashar looked more like "Memsaab" and not "Saab". sic.
Another Twitter user shared the story of her friend, an IPS officer who was regularly addressed as "Sir" by her staff for about 30 years.
Who is Sanjukta Parashar?
Sanjukta Parashar is an IPS officer from Assam of the 2006 batch who is known for taking down 6 militants and arresting 64 militants, and seizing tons of arms and ammunition in just 15 months.
She was first posted as the Assistant Commandant of Makum in the year 2008 and was soon given the responsibility to control the clashes between the Bodo and illegal Bangladeshi militants.
The IPS officer heads a team of CRPF jawans as the Superintendent of Police in Sonitpur district in the terror infested region.
Parashar did her graduation from Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University in Political Science and her Masters in International Relations from JNU. She also earned an M.Phil followed by a PhD in US foreign policy.
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