KPG Gill

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Background

KPS Gill began his career as a police officer in the north-eastern state of Assam, quickly earning a reputation as a tough officer. He became a household name across the country as Punjab police chief in the early 1990s, when he was credited with crushing a separatist revolt in the Sikh-majority state.

Widely praised as a one-man army and widely feared by criminals across the country, Mr Gill was dubbed "Super Cop" after his success in Punjab. Years after retiring from government job, Mr Gill's anti-terrorism skills are back in great demand. He publishes the Faultlines journal and runs the Institute for Conflict Management, as well as advising governments and institutions on security related issues. He was asked by the government of Sri Lanka last year for similar advice. Mr Gill has also written a book, "The Knights of Falsehood", which explores the abuse of religious institutions by the politics of terrorism in Punjab.

Mr. Gill is a well known authority on counter terrorism advising governments and instituions on wide ranging security and counter insurgency issues. His analysis and views on the topic can be accessed at www.satp.org

Criticism

Mr. Gill is not new to controversy. For his role in tackling the hate driven separatist movement abetted by Pakistan in Punjab, a section of India baiters worldwide regards him as their biggest enemy.

He was also convicted by Indian courts for sexual misconduct - an incident when he misbehaved with a woman colleague during a party. This incident till date remains a dark spot on his otherwise illustrious public life

Quotes

"Democracy and liberalism are not a sufficient defence and this is a fact that the ideologues of ‘freedom’ need, equally, to comprehend. There is a fatal flaw in the liberal mind. Having established, in structure and form [though seldom in substance], a system of governance that corresponds to its conception of democracy, it feels that nothing more needs to be done. The ‘Truths’ of the liberal ideology are, as the American Declaration on the Rights of Man expresses it, ‘Self Evident’. They require no proof, no reiteration, and no defence - certainly no defence by force of arms. Once democracy [or even the ritual of quinquinneal elections] is established, according to liberal mythology, the mystical ‘invisible hand’ keeps everything in place; the ‘superior wisdom of the masses’ ensures order and justice...

This is just so much rubbish. As we should know after living with falsehoods for fifty years now. Truth does not triumph; unless it has champions to propound it, unless it has armies to defend it."

Punjab: The Knights of Falsehood

Accountability

Critics have dismissed Mr Gill's appointment as a mere symbolism. They say his role has not been clearly defined and as the state government's adviser he will not have any real authority to execute his own plans. The main opposition Congress Party has even demanded to know exactly to whom he will be accountable. Mr Gill himself, however, has dismissed any such doubts and says he has the support of the state government. He has described the situation in Gujarat as "very bad" and has given himself a month for a full assessment of the situation.

External Links

• BBC News Profile: KPS Gill