Amitabh Thakur, a 1992 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer, was recently prematurely retired by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). On March 23, the decision was communicated by the state government. It said that Thakur was “not suitable” to continue his services as a public servant. It is pertinent to mention here that Thakur had tensed relation with the Samajwadi Party government. In July 2015, he also filed an FIR against the then Chief Minister of the state Mulayam Singh Yadav. To talk about his premature retirement and other aspects of his life, journalist Anurag Sason has an in-depth conversation with the fearless IPS officer.
Here are important excerpts from the exclusive interview: (Scroll down to watch complete interview in Hindi/हिंदी में पूरा साक्षात्कार देखने के लिए नीचे स्क्रॉल करें)
Q1) When you were serving, you got any hint that you could be given premature retirement?
Amitabh Thakur: I got information from some sources that, under a conspiracy, I could be removed from my job.
Q2) How you see your tenure as an IPS officer?
Amitabh Thakur: In 2006, in Ferozabad, an incident happened with me. At that time, Mulayam Singh Yadav was Chief Minister of the state. His relative, Ramvir Singh Yadav, who was then an MLA, tried to attack me. I told Mulayam Singh Yadav about the incident. He said, don’t take action against Ramvir Singh Yadav. However, I filed an FIR and mentioned about Ramvir Singh Yadav in it. After that, all hell broke loose on me.
Q3) In July 2015, you filed an FIR on the then sitting Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav. Did you give a second thought before taking this big step?
Amitabh Thakur: Yes, before taking this big step, I consulted with my family. I decided to raise my voice against wrongdoings.
Q4) What was one of the biggest challenges you faced as an IPS officer?
Amitabh Thakur: Recovering a kidnapped child, from the village of Mohammad Shahabuddin, was one of the biggest challenges I faced during my job. At that time, I was SP Deoria.
Q5) How serious is the problem of illegal mining in Uttar Pradesh?
Amitabh Thakur: Till 2005, illegal mining was not an established industry. However, now it has become a source of income for cops.
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Q6) You have worked under Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. Which political party is best for Uttar Pradesh?
Amitabh Thakur: Honestly speaking, as Chief Minister, I found Kalyan Singh’s way of working, the best.
Q7) In 2022, we have assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Which political party should come to power?
Amitabh Thakur: I am not very well versed in politics so I can’t make a certain comment on this.
Q8) You played the role of social activist, poet and IPS officer. Which one did you like the most?
Amitabh Thakur: I like the role of social activist. Even as an IPS officer you have many limitations. If want to be in a good post (in your capacity as an IPS officer) then you have to do a lot of buttering and put your conscience aside.
This country needs honest social activists.
Q9) Is there any dark side of being an IPS officer?
Amitabh Thakur: Yes, there are many dark sides. I know, several IPS officers are misusing their powers to accumulate huge wealth.
Q10) If you were not an IPS officer, then what you would have been?
Amitabh Thakur: I would have been a social activist.
Q11) Are you writing a book on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal?
Amitabh Thakur: I was writing a book on Arvind Kejriwal. But now due to time constraints, I don’t think I will be able to complete the book.
Q12) Will you join politics in the future?
Amitabh Thakur: Yes, I will definitely enter politics. Politics also need transparency and I will work to introduce the same.
Q13) Most of your friction was with the Samajwadi Party regime. Now we have BJP govt in state and centre. Then why now you were prematurely retired?
Amitabh Thakur: Meine satta ka rang dekha hai…ek he hai. Character of all political parties is the same.
WATCH FULL INTERVIEW
About the author: Anurag Sason is journalist with more than 7 years of experience in mainstream journalism. He has worked in newspaper, news agency, TV and digital media. Presently, he is working as Senior Editor-News in Likee app. He tweets at @AnuragSason
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