An order issued by the Bihar Police states that those who are part of protests and road blockades in the state and are chargesheeted, cannot be considered for any government jobs or contracts. They will be unable to obtain any financial grants or loans, and will not be issued passports. They will risk ruining their character verification certificates.
In short, those indulging in “criminal acts” during law and order incicents, such as protests and blockades, disruption of traffic, and so on, will risk a stain on their character verification certificate.
The new directive by the police mentions nine services that will need the Police Verification Report. These include, license for firearms, passport, character certificate, contractual jobs / work contracts in government, boards and commissions, licences for petrol pumps and gas agencies, government assistance or grants and bank loans.
Contractors who wish to bid for contracts for construction of bus stands and vegetable markets, will require character certificates from the state police.
Recently, Bihar had been criticised for the state government notification that stated that any offensive social-media posts against the government, its ministers, legislators, MPs or state officials will be considered a cybercrime and that the offenders will be penalised. While it was always a practice to check FIR, now an individual’s behaviour on social media will also be checked.
In Uttarakhand, the Police officials have been instructed to maintain a record of people making ‘anti-national’ or ‘anti-social’ posts on social media, and keep screenshots as proof.
