From Khaki to Karma: The Enduring Legacy of Shivdeep Lande
Bihar ex-IPS Shivdeep Lande (Image credit X.com)
Bihar’s ‘Dabang’ cop Shivdeep Lande Takes Political Plunge
By Amit Kumar
Patna, April 9: In the bustling bylanes of Bihar, the name Shivdeep Lande still commands a quiet reverence. Lande has now taken a political plunge, launching ‘Hind Sena’ to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Known for his no-nonsense style, fearless crackdowns, and unshakable integrity, the former IPS officer is as much a household name in Patna as he is a symbol of service in India’s public memory.
Lande, a 2006-batch IPS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, became a legend during his Bihar posting. His tenure was marked by swift action against eve-teasers, drug peddlers, and criminal syndicates.
Nicknamed the ‘Dabang Cop’– after the Bollywood movie character — he quickly rose to fame not just for cleaning up the streets, but for connecting with the public with empathy.
“He was not just an officer; he was hope on patrol,” recalled a school teacher. She said that Lande making surprise visits to schools to talk about safety and education.
While his transfers—especially from Patna to Araria—sparked public protests, Lande’s popularity only soared. His official Facebook page once amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, and his anti-crime operations often made front-page news. But beneath the khaki swagger was a deeply spiritual and socially committed man.
In 2021, Lande took many by surprise when he voluntarily resigned from the IPS, stating a desire to “serve society more freely.” The move, coming at a time when his star was still on the rise, shocked many. But for Lande, it was a natural transition.
“Wearing a uniform is not the only way to serve,” he reportedly said in a farewell speech to colleagues.
Post-resignation, he channeled his efforts into education and rural development. His foundation, working quietly in Maharashtra and Bihar, supports underprivileged students, funds girl-child education, and promotes health awareness campaigns in underserved areas.
In an era where many public servants are embroiled in controversy or political ambitions, Lande’s low-profile yet impactful post-IPS work sets him apart. He has refused political offers, choosing instead to “work from the grassroots, not the gallery.”
“I didn’t leave the system to fight it, but to expand the ways I could help people,” he said in a rare 2023 interview.
Despite his absence from active service, Lande’s legend still looms large — especially among UPSC aspirants who see in him a model of disciplined service and ethical strength.
In Bihar’s chaotic rhythm of change and continuity, Shivdeep Lande’s story offers a rare melody—of courage, conviction, and quiet revolution.
Ex-IPS Shivdeep Lande joins several of his former colleagues from the IPS whop are making waves in the political corridors. K. Annamalai is hogging the limelight in Tamil Nady, heading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit in the state. Bihar IPS officer Vikash Vaibhav is also hogging limelight in the state.
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