Commissioner Patnaik’s Five Stages of Grieving

Commissioner Patnaik.

How you might wonder does one misplace 12 files related to gangster Dawood Ibrahim, wield a hockey stick to keep recalcitrant members of society in check, and still keep one’s job? For a start, having the voluble support and admiration of the Police Commissioner helps. Arup Patnaik says he can “vouch for Dhoble’s impeccable integrity” and that he “has my full support in the raids”. Well then, now that we’re clear on the matter of Dhoble’s moral compass, let’s sympathise instead with Patnaik, who judging by his statements to the Indian Express, appears to be going through at least some identifiable stages of grieving for our nightlife:

DENIAL
“It is not my job to decide which law is an archaic law and which is not.”

ANGER
“Out of around 1.5 crore people, how many people can actually even afford to enter such places and have a drink… maybe a thousand-odd. I am not here to serve them, but the rest of Mumbai.”

MORE ANGER
“It has become fashionable for people to gang up and criticise Dhoble on the Internet, as it would not look cool to approve of the raids. When Dhoble was wielding his hockey-stick and cracking down on gambling, liquor and prostitution dens in areas like Kamathipura, these people were happy. But now that he is also raiding five-star hotels, this hip-hop set finds it shocking that this pandu (constable) can enter such places and take action against them. It is an affront to them.”

BARGAINING
“Rather than venting their anger at Dhoble, why don’t these critics sue the owners of the bars and pubs that are raided.”

(MILD) DEPRESSION
“Don’t the guests expect more from these establishments?”

IN PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE, DELUSION
“Some of the most corrupt officers have the cleanest of records. Dhoble has fallen into trouble with cases because he is daring and fearless.”

Bar owners, politicians know they can’t buy Dhoble: Mumbai top cop [Indian Express]