Can an honest police officer stand up to a powerful politician? What happens when political pressure interferes with investigations, transfers and the rule of law?
In Part 2 of this exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, former IPS officer and Intelligence Bureau Special Director Yashovardhan Azad discusses the challenges facing Indian policing and why officers must have the courage to say no to improper political interference.
Drawing from his experiences in the police service and his book Policing the Republic, Azad shares his views on:
Political Interference: How pressure from politicians affects police investigations, transfers and professional independence.
Managing Protests: Why dialogue, negotiation and trust matter more than force and restrictions.
Police Reforms: Why the Supreme Court’s 2006 police-reform directives remain important.
Accountability and Corruption: Why police autonomy must go hand in hand with institutional accountability.
Privacy and Surveillance: Why national security cannot become a blanket justification for intrusive monitoring.
Manipur and Internal Security: Why intelligence, dialogue and political solutions are essential for lasting peace.
Azad also recalls instances from his career when he stood firm despite political pressure and explains why giving in once can make it easier to surrender again.
His message is clear: India’s police must serve the law, not those in power.
Watch the full conversation to understand why police independence is essential for democracy.
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