Democracy does not mean giving unchecked power to politicians, it means entrusting them with the sacred responsibility of serving the people. Politicians are not kings; they are servants of the public. Yet arrogant leaders like Ajit Pawar repeatedly insult this very foundation of our Republic. Two days ago, Maharashtra witnessed an incident that should shake every citizen’s conscience. A woman probationary IPS officer, Anjali Krishna, posted in Solapur, dared to act against goons illegally excavating murrum used for road construction. Instead of appreciating her for doing her duty, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar used foul language, sarcasm, and threats to humiliate her. When she rightly asked him to call on her official number to verify his identity, Pawar exploded in rage. His mocking words—“Main video call karta hoon… tabhi aap mera chehra pahchan paoge?”—were not just dripping with sarcasm, but with the stench of arrogance. He allegedly ordered her to stop action against the criminals and even threatened her with consequences for “disobeying the Deputy CM.” This is the irony of our democracy: officers study hard, qualify through one of the toughest exams in the country, and dedicate their lives to serve the nation, while many politicians with no merit or discipline muscle their way into power and then use that power to protect criminals. The result is that lawbreakers feel emboldened, as Pawar’s bullying directly encouraged the goons who went on to attack local officials. Two talathis were beaten up simply for doing their jobs. This is not governance; this is a mafia mindset in politics openly mocking the law.

What makes this worse is the silence of the state machinery. Neither Pawar nor Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who heads the Home Department, has spoken up. Instead, NCP’s state president Sunil Tatkare rushed to defend his leader with a pathetic excuse that Pawar merely asked to “defer” the action. What Tatkare called “straight talk” is nothing but abuse of power. When politicians shield criminals and attack officers, democracy itself is colluded. It becomes a sham where criminals enjoy state patronage and officers work under constant fear. Thankfully, some voices still stood up for integrity. Social activist Anjali Damania rightly said that a highly qualified IPS officer was threatened simply for questioning authority. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sushma Andhare applauded Anjali Krishna’s courage, pointing out that her question was perfectly valid. If every officer blindly obeyed such illegal orders, what hope would remain for the rule of law? The truth is that such incidents happen daily. Officers are constantly pressured to protect criminals and defaulters, but most cases never reach the public. What we saw in Solapur is only one of countless humiliations bureaucrats endure at the hands of political mafias. And yet we ordinary citizens continue to keep faith in democracy, hoping leaders will uphold dignity and law.

This incident also highlights the difference leadership makes. Ajit Pawar’s arrogance stands in sharp contrast to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s approach. Educated, young, and humble, Fadnavis has consistently shown decency in dealing with officers. BJP leaders, whatever their flaws, at least understand the value of merit, struggle, and qualification. They know what it takes to become an officer—unlike dynastic leaders who inherit power and misuse it. This shameful episode must not be brushed aside. Ajit Pawar owes an apology not just to Anjali Krishna, but to every honest officer in this country. In fact, he must take moral responsibility and resign as Deputy Chief Minister. If democracy is to mean anything, it must mean accountability. Because if arrogant leaders continue to stretch their muscles on honest officers, then the very spirit of freedom—the freedom to act, to speak, to uphold law—will be lost. And without that freedom, democracy is nothing but a cruel joke.