So if we the lesser born aren’t allowed to serve as officers with professional pride, let us as a professional body request the government that in the interest of the nation and that of the police as a profession abolish the IPS, or at least declare it a dying cadre. Our district policing functions should be amalgamated with the IAS, our para-military, intelligence and national security functions could go to the armed forces, and all residual functions given to academics or management consultants.

The spirits of Nehru and Patel would be restless at the fate of an institution lovingly created by them. But they were realists. They would understand that at the very least the time has come to give their vision of the IPS a formal burial. It is ironical but in the wake of the 6th CPC it seems quite clear that if the IPS as a collective entity is serious about protecting and enhancing the pride and effectiveness of the police as a profession then it must do all it can to hasten its own demise. It may find appreciation and gratitude and dignity in death, the things that were denied to it in life.

The writer is SP, Crime and Law and Order, Uttarakhand