My days with the IAC

All my life, I hated politics and politicians. My priority, as a police officer, was to stand by those who were wronged. Sometimes, I even crossed the line to stand by those who needed "natural" justice. I was considered an "activist officer" and was not elated by this name. But all this time I was distant from the harsh realities of life. The grass seemed greener on the side of social activism.

Out of the service in June 2012, I decided to jump into the fray with all my vigour. Although my work against drug trafficking, drug addiction and in creating awareness about "narco politics", as also my work for better education of children in slums, remained intact, I thought it was time for a fight against corruption — organised corruption — which I had seen from close quarters. Having worked in police and non-police organisations in the states and at the Centre, including the prime minister's office and intelligence agencies, I know what goes on where, and how. Power-brokering by wheeler dealers is not new to me. I wanted to expose it all from the best possible platform, Anna Hazare's movement, India Against Corruption (IAC).

I have seen the consistent downfall of the movement since its Ramlila Maidan glory days when, at one call from this frail yet powerful man, the entire country, including the government, was shaken, with "youth of all age groups" spilling out onto the streets, generating the vibes of a possible total revolution — something the country had not witnessed since Independence.

Alas, Anna could not see that Machiavelli was still alive. The carefully chalked out "crisis management strategy" of the government and the individual Machiavellian ambitions of some so-called activists were doing the movement in. I was unhappy, but being in service, I could not do anything about it. After attaining freedom from the government, I got in touch with Anna, who incidentally was aware of my monikers — the "activist officer" and "father of prison reforms in Punjab". Then, one fine morning, Anna called me, informing me about his desire to induct me in the coordination committee. I was elated. Here was the chance to expose the organised corruption and crime in India.

... contd.

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