JK PANORAMA FEBRUARY ISSUE 2018

task of reforming traffic in Jammu and members of two senior IPS officers, much
Kashmir.
to the annoyance of the owners. The matter
A few days ago, a police car was caught in escalated with Rath lodging an FIR and
the middle of a busy road in Jammu and a later tweeting a photograph of the police
senior traffic police officer — much to the complaint saying he has taken action
surprise of the officers and bystanders against his “friend” only to silence
alike — challaned the police vehicle for opponents by citing cricket analogy.
not having a number plate.
For calling spade a spade, Rath is often
Twelve days old into his new job, Basant described as crazy, arrogant, controversial
Rath, has already earned a name for being or even 'Singham' and 'Dabang'. But he
Jammu's 'Singham' after the Bollywood says such remarks do not bother him.
movie by the same name, thanks to his “I love my job and I do it with passion. I
uncompromising attitude towards traffic am not flustered by anyone. I follow the
violations, no matter who the violator is. rulebook, I am answerable to the people
and have respect for democracy and our
Meanwhile, the common man on Srinagar judiciary,” he says.
roads, who are allergic to rash driving, Twelve days into his new assignment as
road stunts, congestion, red light jumping the traffic in-charge, Rath is often seen
and VIP culture are jubilant. However, his directing traffic on the Jammu streets by
“out of the box” ways often earn him both himself.
bouquets and brickbats — more of the But it is his significant Twitter activity in
latter because he is a strict disciplinarian past few weeks that has made him both
that annoys people who are on the wrong popular and controversial. His witty one
side of law. liners and thought provoking tweets –
Videos and photographs of Rath managing some where he jokes on his baldness –
traffic at busy junctions in the winter generate lot of response. Interestingly, he
capital have become a hit on the
tweets from a handle @kangricarrier,
Internet.
which means one who carries a Kashmiri
Unbridled corruption and traffic mess in indigenous fire pot wrapped in a wicker
both the cities and Jammu-Srinagar willow frame.
highway particularly, prompted Jammu and His appeals to commuters are also full of
Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti puns and warnings. He pricks the
to bring in an officer who has new ideas, is politicians and higher-ups with a regular
tough and upright. The search stopped at ease.
Rath even though top officers warned “My Dear Senior who thinks I'm all gas on
Mufti of his “antics and aggression”. FaceBook and Twitter and no guts. Please
Rath, many agree, fits the bill of managing ask your PSOs to drive their bikes without
traffic in the state but it is his unstoppable wearing helmets. I'll ruin their day. And
“bold and witty” outbursts on social media yours. I don't think I love you (sic)”: read
that is rubbing the powerful on the wrong one of Rath's tweets.
side.
In another tweet he says, “I give them only
Congress legislator Usman Majeed two options either to buy good quality
recently called him “mad and a fit case for helmet or pray for my transfer by
psychiatric treatment'' when Rath
tomorrow”.
compared condoms to helmets in order to
urge commuters to use both for
“protection”.
On the first day of his new posting, Rath
seized an Audi car from the family
11 February 2018