Third, in the series of the SPIR, the 2020-2021 study is divided into two volumes. First, ‘Policing in Conflict-affected Regions', was released in April 2021. Volume II, 'Policing in the Covid-19 Pandemic', aims at understanding the challenges faced by the police in the states that are most affected due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the consequential lockdowns, as well as the experiences of the common people with the police and their perception of various aspects of policing under special and exceptional circumstances created due to the pandemic. It is based on a sample survey of police personnel and civilians conducted across 10 states of India by Lokniti-CSDS.

  Despite having no time in hand to implement one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world, and in the absence of any prior experience of handling such pandemics, the study found that by and large, the police in India enjoyed the support and confidence of the citizens. At the same time it also found that, with a large ambit of discretionary powers available to them and a general sense of perplexity among common people about the contagion, the police used threat or fear as their most common tool to make people abide by the lockdown regulations and to prevent the movement of migrant laborers and families, who were left with no option but to march towards their homes. In an Op-Ed piece for The Print, Manjesh Rana of Lokniti shares some of the most important findings from the report.
 

 

  An overwhelming proportion of police personnel (79%) reported a drop in the overall crime rate. A look at individual crimes shows that while police personnel reported that general crimes such as theft, robbery, kidnapping, and murder seemed to have reduced significantly during the lockdown, offenses committed in the private space — such as cases of domestic violence against women and incidents related to cybercrime — saw an upward trend. In the ninth article of our series with The Indian Express 'Telling Numbers: From Lokniti Archives', Vibha Attri of Lokniti highlights the shift in the crime dynamics and looks at how policing changed due to the pandemic.
 

 PUBLICATIONS

 

Vikas Tripathi
‘Parliament amidst pandemic: situating the opposition’, Economic & Political Weekly, 14 August 2021.

Akhil Ranjan Dutta
Book: ‘Hindutva Regime in Assam: Saffron in the Rainbow’, Sage Publications, August 2021.

Sandeep Shastri
 

‘Working democracy amidst continued inequality: does South Asia represent a paradox?’, Leaders and Citizens of Democracy, Christian Echle, Rey Pandit and Megha Sarmah (eds), Singapore, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. 2021.
‘Afghanistan’s crisis: history explains the present-day reality’ (In Kannada), Prajavani, 20 August 2021.
‘The test for Bommai and the Road Ahead: Interview with Dr. Shastri’, One India, 19 August 2021.
‘Does the city benefit by having a Development Minister?’, Bangalore Mirror, 6 August 2021.

Rekha Chowdhary
 

 
Sanjay Kumar
 

‘Jatigat janganana: aakhir asamanjas mein kyun hai Sarkar?’, Rajasthan Patrika, 27 August 2021.
‘Why BJP government with a massive OBC support base is getting cold feet over Caste Census’, www.news18.com, 25 August 2021.
‘Jatigat janganana karwaane me raajnatik chunautiya to hai’, Dainik Bhaskar, 21 August 2021.
‘Congress ko jatiya samikaran banane me Punjab me kitna labh milegaa’, Dainik Bhaskar, 7 August 2021.
‘Punjab Congress and the caste vote’, Indian Express, 2 August 2021.
 

Sanjay Lodha
'समाजशास्त्र –अर्थ एवं उपागम', (समाजशास्त्रीय विचारक, भारतीय समाज, भारतीय सामाजिक व्यवस्था, सामाजिक परिवर्तन), समाजशास्त्र रीडर 1-5, Rawat Publications, Jaipur, August 2021.

Hilal Ahmed 
 

‘Dear Muslims, don’t take refuge in liberal vs Hindutva binary. These templates are tricky’, ThePrint, 16 August 2021.

Suhas Palshikar
 

‘Dharmanirapkesh rajya mhanje kay?’ Marathi, What is a secular state? Kartavya Sadhana 21 August 2021.
‘Rajyanmadhil sangharsh kase hataloo nayet’ (Marathi), How not to handle interstate conflicts, Loksatta, Edit page 4 August 2021.

Lakhan Choudhary
‘Chhattisgarh: tajposhi ki tarah shakti pradarshan ke kya mayne hain?’, Desh Digital, 30 August 2021.
‘Pradhanmantri ki girti lokpriyata ki vajah virodhabhasi prathmiktaen’, Deshbandhu, 26 August 2021.
‘Korona ki aad me puri ek pidhi se khilwad kar rahi sarkar’, Deshbandhu, 12 August 2021.
‘Arthvyavstha me 1991 se adhik chunautiyan, samajik kshetra hashie par’, Deshbandhu, 5 August 2021.
‘Divya Chhattisgarh badlao, vikas aur Bhartiya mahilaen’, Pg No-21, Year-9, Issue-10, August 2021.

Ashutosh Kumar
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Democracy in recent India: economics and politics, for The UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, 24 August 2021.
-Participated in a session on 'Literature Review',  for a Capacity Building Programme for Social Science Faculty Members, organized by M. P. Institute of Social Science Research (MPISSR), 3 August 2021. 

Sandeep Shastri
 

-Inaugural speaker at a Conference on Recent Trends in Academic Research organized by the Sanskriti University and Jagran Lakecity University in collaboration with Council for Industrial Innovation and Research (CIIR), 30 August 2021.
-Delivered a lecture at the Karnataka Higher Education Academy, Dharwad on the theme ‘Preparing ourselves for a Post-Pandemic Learning Environment’, 29 August 2021.
-Participated in a Seminar on ‘Implementing National Education Policy 2020’, organized by the Madhya Pradesh Government, 26 August 2021.
-Delivered the keynote address on the theme ‘Institutional dynamics of the Indian Federal System’, at a Conference organized by the Department of Political Science, Karnatak University, Dharwad, 25 August 2021.
-Panelist at the ‘20th World Education Summit 2021’, organized by ELETS and Blackboard, 18 August 2021.
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Indian polity and governance at the India4IAS Academy, 14 August 2021.
-Introductory Speaker at a Panel discussion on ‘Management and economics thinking practices in India’, at the 9th Azadi Ka Mahotsav celebrations organized by the Jagran Lakecity University, 10 August 2021.
-Keynote speaker at an event to commemorate the Quit India Movement organized by the Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre, Indian Embassy Mexico as part of the Dialogue on India’s Independence held, 7 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Value-based journalism: is it still a mission’, at the Azadi Ka Mahostav event organized by the Faculty of Journalism and Creative Studies, Jagran Lakecity University, 6 August 2021.
-Delivered a lecture on the theme ‘Paradigm shift in teaching to learning as envisaged by NEP 2020’, at the Online In-Service Training Programme for Kendriya Vidyalaya Faculty, 2 August 2021.
-Speaker at the Thought Leadership Series lectures on the theme ‘Importance of research in emerging India’ organized by V4News, Global TV, V4Stream, Malanadu TV India, and News Gaon Se, 1 August 2021.

Sanjay Kumar 
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Story of India’s Election’ during the celebrations of Aazadi kaa Amrut Mahotsav, Miranda House, University of Delhi, 11 August 2021.

Hilal Ahmed
-Delivered a lecture on the theme ‘How to think of the Quit India Movement?’ A short presentation in an event—crossing the Milestone. Dialogue on India's Independence—organized by the Indian Embassy in Mexico City, Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre, and Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal on the occasion of India @75 Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav, 7 August 2021.       
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Changing meanings of Inclusiveness’, for the 2nd 2-Week Online Refresher Course in Human Rights & Social Inclusion (ID) organized by the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), 4 August 2021. 
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Human Rights and Popular Imaginations’ for the 2nd 2-Week Online Refresher Course in Human Rights & Social Inclusion (ID) organized by the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), 4 August 2021.

Venkatesu E
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Advocacy Coalition Framework in the context of Politics and Public Policy in Refresher Course of Political Science and Public Administration conducted by Human Resource Development Centre, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, 25 August 2021.
-Chaired a session on ‘Political Empowerment of Dalits’ in the seminar on Policy Imperatives of Dalit Empowerment in Telangana State: Evidence, Key Issues, and Priorities at Center for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad on 17 August 2021.
-Gave an Interview to India ahead on ‘Dalit Bandhu in Telangana: Election or Welfare?’, 16 August 2021.
-Participated as a panelist for an online discussion on ‘Political Parties in Andhra Pradesh’ organized by the Center for Policy Research, 12 August 2021.

Suhas Palshikar 
 

-Delivered a lecture on 'Maharashtra: Dhornatmak sthityantare aniavhane Marathi, Maharashtra: Policy Changes and Challenges', as part of the series on Maharashtra’s Diamond Jubilee organized by Maharashtra Information Centre, Mumbai, 14 August 2021.

Sanjay Lodha 
-Delivered a lecture on ‘Role of Education in Creating a Just and Equal Society’, at HRDC, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, 6 August 2021.
-Delivered a lecture on ‘The Idea of Pratidhwani’, for RSLDC, GOR, and Pratidhwani Sansthan,10 August 2021.

Lakhan Choudhary
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Bijli sankat par siyasi karant’, IND 24 TV, 31 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Karz ka marz’, Swaraj Express, 30 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Mahangai ka mahachkra’, Swaraj Express, 23 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Fundamentals of Economics’, St. Thomas College, Bhilai, 17 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘OBC ka hotaishi kaun?’, IND 24 TV, 16 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Man ka mission’, IND 24 TV, 9 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘Siyasat me bijli’, IND 24 TV, 4 August 2021.
-Participated in a discussion on ‘CAG report par kohram’, IND 24 TV, 2 August 2021.

 LOKNITI DATA: Cited by others

   Here is a list of articles that appeared during the last month where the authors (independent of Lokniti) have cited the data from Lokniti-CSDS studies. We would like to make it clear that the inferences drawn from our data by the authors are entirely their own and do not reflect the position of Lokniti. 

'Baptism Through Disruptions: Parliamentary Practice in a Democracy Under Siege' - Jawhar Sircar.
'UP poser for SP, BSP: Two regional parties right now have no answer to BJP’s mix of micro caste strategy & nationalism' - Gilles Verniers.
'Decoding the purpose and politics of caste census' - Roshan Kishore 
'The irony of BSP and SP going from being anti-brahmin to now wooing them' - Pankaj Kumar.
'As UP polls come closer, parties vie for non-Yadav OBC votes' - Aman.
'Who are non-Yadav OBCs & why UP political parties are lining up to woo them ahead of polls' - Prashant Srivastava
'Data | Women make up only 12% of India's police force' - Vignesh Radhakrishnan, Sumant Sen, Jasmin Nihalani.
'Jantar Mantar Communal Slogans: What Explains Arvind Kejriwal's Silence?' - Aditya Menon.
‘Upper castes won’t desert the BJP anytime soon’ - Mayank Kumar
'ताऊ छोरियां छोरों से आगे हैं- ओलंपिक ही नहीं विज्ञान से लेकर राजनीति तक दबदबा' - आशुतोष कुमार सिंह.
'Even-steven on social media' - Arnab Sen Sarma. 
'Threat To Human Rights Are Highest In Police Stations', Remarks CJI Ramana; Points Out At Custodial Torture, Police Atrocities - The Logical Indian Crew.
'Does India face the tyranny of the majority?' -  Mushtaque Rahamat
'Inclusiveness of LGBTQ Community: Marketers leading the way' - Pallavi Mathur Lal and Neha Dutta.