Shashi Thakur: A mother cop with courage of steel

Introduction

Ernest Hemingway once rightly said, “Courage is grace under pressure”. Standing up for the ones that cannot defend themselves is bravery. Advocating truth and justice fearlessly is in not only her middle name but also her life’s driving principle. She wears her uniform with pride and holds her position to right the wrong. A crusader for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and a nightmare for the lawbreakers, our NAARI for today is a specimen for valour and kindness. The very bold and audacious Shashi Thakur is the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) of Jammu and Kashmir.

Khaki is my identity

It has nearly been three decades since Dy SP Shashi Thakur joined the police academy. It was the encouragement of her in-laws that boosted her zeal to stand tall against the stereotypes of the society. “Females were a rare sight in the police department back then”, recalls Shashi. Born into a distinguished family that was way ahead of its time and married into a wonderfully supportive family, she was blessed with prosperity. Joining the police training college was a privilege in a generation where women in Khaki were a rarity. While women were still struggling to make an identity outside of the home, Shashi was already becoming a ray of hope for women everywhere and being praised for her commendable work in the police department. As a young achiever she was making heads turn in the division calling out the wrongs with boldness.

I am here to stay

Dy SP Thakur was always a headstrong woman. She knew it was never going to be easy to make history by being one of the few females admitted into the police force, but she was prepared. Shashi remarks, “In the police force you get to see it all, from petty domestic quarrels to murders, and the police has to be prepared for everything”. Her first impediment in professional pursuits was acceptance, as her abilities were always questioned even after all the training and hurdles she overcame. Her colleagues saw her as a liability rather than an asset for the police department and giving soft postings in the police control room rather than in the field. It was Shashi Thakur’s firm dedication and discipline towards her service that silenced her critics who questioned her abilities. Over the years she has answered all the questions that were raised on her ability as a deserving police officer.

Empathy makes better officers

Shashi Thakur has always believed that her duty as a police officer is incomplete without kindness and empathy. She remarks, “I will never restrain myself from going the extra mile if I have the means to do so”. She adds, “The joy of inspiring people and the pride of serving them justice is the best feeling and it gives me satisfaction in what I do.” A few years ago, she encountered a case where a man wanted to abandon his two daughters after the death of his wife to marry another woman. Shashi was counselling them regularly not knowing how she was inadvertently impacting upon their lives. However, in an unfortunate accident, one of the sisters passed away and the other was fighting for her life in the hospital. Unaware of what had happened she received a distress call from the hospital and upon arrival found out that the girl had listed her as next of kin. With no other relatives and an irresponsible father waiting to take advantage of the situation, Shashi took it upon herself and became the girl’s guardian. She took the responsibility of her medical treatment and empowered her with her constant support. The girl is now a police inspector and is happily married. She exclaims, “It does not require much to have empathy and there is no greater honour than helping someone in need. This is my true medal”.

Truth always triumphs

Deputy Superintendent of Police of Jammu and Kashmir Shashi Thakur

Crusader of anti-encroachment in Jammu and Kashmir, Shashi Thakur is among the few fearless officers that prevented the illegal encroachment upon state properties. For decades she has fought in courts, not once wavering in her faith in the judicial system. Despite several threats and defamations against her, she remains steadfast in her mission. She is cleansing the rot in the police department which should have been long done. Encroachments are typically listed under the names of criminals (benami) to prevent anyone from questioning them. “Since when did the crime become above the law?”, she questioned. Katra railway station, Sainik Colony, Reka forest are some of the encroachments that were removed by her accruing crores in revenue to the state. It was her mettle that made it possible for the High Court to move to Katra in Jammu after the encroached land was vacated. “As extraordinary as this sounds there were a lot of dangers associated with it”, remarks Shashi Thakur. She has remained true to her oath and would not let her uniform’s pride be blemished in anyway. After a lot of effort and time, the Anti-Corruption Bureau gave the verdict to demolish these illegal properties. Shashi suggests, “The government is now in motion, but if we could refer these cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s top investigation agency, try them as test cases by involving external teams, it will surely fasttrack this process and prevent meddling.”

Calm, cool and courageous

Shashi Thakur has made great contributions to provincial services, helping found Jammu’s first women cell. She strongly stands for women’s empowerment and believes that empowerment is not just about granting rights. In true essence, it is educating women about their duties, rights and responsibilities collectively that the Constitution of India grants them. She defines NAARI as a cool, calm and courageous catalyst and harbinger of social change. “People may be unfair, but the police department is and will forever be fair and I will always be proud of it,” exclaims DySP Shashi Thakur before requesting leave to attend to her other mission.