Railway Protection Force Role in Championing Social Justice

Hyderabad: The World Day of Social Justice is celebrated every year on February 20. It was started by the UN to create awareness even today. The aim of the event is to promote fairness. Fairness means equal access to the same standards of education, health care and all public services.

The Indian Railways, which is one of the largest Railway networks in the world, weaves an intricate matrix of connectivity across the length and breadth of the country. With its Railway lines reaching out to some of the remotest parts of the country, it provides the most accessible and inexpensive method of travel to many people. This tangled web of Railway lines unites all Indians into one single thread. In the vast expanse of its trains and stations, millions of Indians irrespective of caste, race, religion, gender or class meet, intermingle and bond. The RPF plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and security of all these passengers.

The RPF is an armed force of the Union entrusted with the responsibility of securing the country’s vast Railway network. Beyond the enforcement of law, the RPF plays a crucial role in the broader concept of social justice by ensuring that the rights of vulnerable populations are respected, protected, and upheld within its specific sphere of influence. The Indian Railway system serves millions daily, with a significant portion being women, children, senior citizens, and individuals from marginalised communities. The RPF stands as a shield for these vulnerable passengers, protecting them from crimes such as theft, harassment, and even violence. By ensuring their safety, RPF works towards a more equitable and just society, where all individuals can travel without fear.

Another vulnerable group of passengers traveling on Indian Railways are women passengers. By proactive deployment in coaches reserved for ladies, RPF has ensured the safety of female passengers, especially when traveling at odd hours. To make women passengers feel safer, RPF regularly prosecutes men traveling in coaches reserved for women. In the year 2024, RPF has prosecuted 1,02,130 such male passengers. RPF has launched the “Meri Saheli initiative” with its focus on women passengers traveling alone. There are more than 250 Meri Saheli teams who are daily attending 500 trains and are instrumental in providing a safer environment for female passengers. Similarly, RPF has undertaken an initiative called Operation Matri shakti to assist pregnant women who go into labour during train journeys. In the year 2024 alone, lady RPF personnel have assisted in 174 child births.

RPF has launched Operation AAHT to ensure that women and children do not fall prey to human trafficking. RPF personnel actively collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to rescue trafficked individuals, especially those who are being exploited for forced labor or prostitution. In the year 2024, RPF has rescued 826 persons from the clutches of traffickers through Operation AAHT.

There are several lost or abandoned children in contact with Railways who are in need of care and protection. If such children are not rescued or rehabilitated there is a high probability that they will fall prey to drug peddlers and criminals’ gangs. Through Operation Nanhe Farishtey, RPF rescues such children and ensures their rehabilitation in collaboration with Ministry of Women and Child Development. RPF has rescued 14,756 children through Operation Nanhe Farishtey in the year 2024.

RPF lady personnel also play a crucial role in rescuing adults, including women in need of care and protection. These individuals may be runaways, abandoned elderly, drug addicts, destitute, or needing medical assistance. RPF rescues such individuals and hands them over to NGO’s for rehabilitation. In 2024, RPF has rescued 4,047 people through its Operation Dignity.

During the Covid pandemic, RPF provided food to thousands of laborer’s who were stranded and ensured safe return to their homes following the due pandemic protocols. RPF proudly boasts of having the largest share of women personnel amongst all CAPFs today. The RPF’s consistent efforts in providing safe journey to passengers coming from all strata of society without discrimination align with the boarder global goal of social justice. From tackling petty crimes to protecting passengers from terrorism, RPF’s commitment to the cause of social justice is unwavering. The RPF exemplifies how law enforcement agencies can not only uphold the law but also contribute to building a more just society by reaching out to the most vulnerable classes, preventing discrimination and extending a helping hand to the weaker sections of the society.