Move over Morari Babu & Ramesh Bhai Oza, Mr Gupteshwar Pandey is here. He is probably the first IPS officer who after retirement has become a religious preacher, kathavachak.
It’s said that every soul finds rest in God and salvation comes from Him. The former DGP of Bihar has apparently chosen to tread the same path. After serving as a cop for 33 years and twice burning his hands in politics, Mr. Pandey has taken up religious preachings. He was recently seen narrating the story of Lord Krishna based on ‘Shrimad Bhagwat Gita’ on a digital platform. He intends to do it regularly daily for one hour and people could join him by clinking a link given by him.
Mr. Pandey says this is not a new beginning and he was always inclined towards the ultimate power. In a detailed conversation with Indian Masterminds, he talked about the recent development in his life and whether he wants to rejoin the politics or will religiously take up religious preaching.
No plans to go back to politics
In 2009, Mr. Pandey took voluntary retirement to join politics but he didn’t get a ticket from Janata Dal (U). After which he resumed his duties in the police force. Then again just before Bihar Assembly elections last year he took VRS and announcement his forays in politics. “I have all the parties queueing up to give ticket. Let me make up my mind which way I have to go”, he had announced.
According to then media reports, he had approached both the ruling parties JD(U) and the BJP but remained empty handed. Just before his retirement, Mr Pandey had hogged limelight big time by issuing daily statements on Sushant Singh Rajput case, which was being investigated by both the Maharashtra police and the Bihar police.
The officer now says that he has no plans to enter the politics again. He just wants to selflessly serve god and people. When asked about the reason for his disenchantment with politics he says, “With time you change, your emotions change and so does your perception. Once, you have found God, nothing really matters”.
‘Surrendered myself in front of God’
When asked about his recent proclivity to religious preaching he said, “This has not happened all of a sudden. I had a connect with God from my childhood. I have just selflessly surrendered myself in front of God because that is the ultimate reality”.
Mr. Pandey also emphasize that he is not in position of preaching anybody.
“I am not a religious preacher. I just tell stories based on the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. The purpose is to purify myself and find God within me. It is just a way towards spirituality”
When asked about the meaning and importance of spirituality in his life he replies that spirituality starts with self-realization and selfless surrender.
Nobody can say I was a failure in field
Mr Pandey hails from a small village in Buxar and has served in 26 districts of Bihar on several posts including the Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG) and Director General of Police.
Mr. Pandey has served as SP in six districts of Bihar. These includes Naxalite active region like Chatra (part of undivided Bihar), Aurangabad; criminal prone Begusarai or Communal sensitive Hazaribagh (Part of Undivided Bihar).
“Most of my postings were on field whether as an SP or DGP. I have handled multiple law & order issues and ensured communal harmony wherever I went. I handled every minute to big issues successfully. People still remember me and love me. No one can say I was ever a failure on any of my post”.
He feels more than satisfied about having served the people during his long career. Now, it is time to serve the God.
