Asish Mehta
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 5: Colonial-era words like ‘His Excellency,’ used for addressing dignitaries earlier, may have become archaic in most parts of the country, but terms like ‘saheb’ can still be heard in abundance in the commissionerate police office here and police stations in the twin cities.
Police officials can still be heard using the term ‘saheb’ while addressing their seniors. It is mostly havildars and constables who use the term in a show of reverence and almost as an integral part of their duty.
Significantly, most junior police officials find nothing wrong in using honorific terms like ‘saheb’. Their seniors, the recipients of these honorific words, also seem accustomed enough to expect their ceaseless use.
“There is nothing wrong in using this term since it is not derogatory. Cops address their seniors with terms like ‘saheb’ only as a way of showing the respect due to them,” said a policeman preferring anonymity.
“The Police Act, 1861, which was legislated by the British in the aftermath of the Mutiny of 1857, meant to establish a police force that would suit the purpose of crushing dissent in the ranks and any public movement for self-government. This Act continues to this day in most states of the country despite far-reaching changes in governance and India’s transition from being a colonized nation to a sovereign republic,” said Orissa High Court lawyer Subash Mohapatra.
He said though the use of terms such as ‘saheb’ in police and the armed forces was not banned, it was not proper to use them. “Senior cops should ask their juniors not to use such terms,” he added.
In a clear departure from tradition, President Pranab Mukherjee had in 2012 approved a new set of protocols to be used in greeting and meeting dignitaries inside and outside the country. The President had then asked not to associate any of the colonial honorifics with his own name and post.
After reviewing the earlier protocol, Mukherjee had said that ‘Excellency’ will be used only for interaction of leaders with foreign dignitaries as is globally customary.
