Institutional Extortion by Civic Volunteers: A Growing Concern in West Bengal
In a recent social media post, Shuvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, has raised alarm over the rampant extortion practices by civic volunteers, claiming it has evolved into a well-established industry. He argues that these volunteers, who are supposed to uphold the law, are now openly soliciting bribes on national and state highways, overshadowing other failing industries in the state. Adhikari warns that if this trend continues, the consequences could be dire, as citizens will no longer tolerate the harassment from those meant to protect them.
Adhikari’s observations highlight a troubling reality: civic volunteers are now reportedly tasked with taking photographs of Trinamool Congress leaders raising party flags, further blurring the lines between public service and political allegiance. He emphasizes that unless the police and civic bodies reform their practices, this institutionalized extortion will only worsen, turning into a normalized behavior that undermines public trust. The metaphor of a “shameless person walking down the street with their ears cut off” encapsulates the gravity of the situation,suggesting that ignoring these issues will only lead to greater societal decay.
