Kerala-born IPS officer draws widespread support amid Maharashtra DyCM’s attempt to silence her

Young IPS officer Anjana Krishna V S faces political backlash after intervening in a tense Solapur incident, but citizens and senior officials praise her courage, raising tough questions about misuse of power in Maharashtra politics.

Amid the growing controversy over Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s public rebuke of young IPS officer Anjana Krishna V S, questions are being raised over the silence of the IPS Association, even as Anjana continues to receive overwhelming support from the public.

Anjana, a 2022-batch IPS officer currently holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, is posted as the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Solapur district.

The incident in question took place outside Kurdu village in Madha tehsil of Solapur on August 31. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has slammed Pawar, who also holds the portfolios of Finance, Planning, and Excise, and the ruling Maha Yuti dispensation. On social media, Anjana is being hailed as a symbol of integrity, while the ruling side largely maintains silence.

Born on April 17, 1990, in Malayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Anjana is the daughter of V S Viju, who runs a small cloth shop, and L Seena, a court typist. She completed her schooling at St Mary’s Central School in Poojappura and earned a B.Sc. in Mathematics from NSS College in Neeramankara. Anjana secured 355th rank in the 2022–23 UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Activist Vijay Kumbhar spoke to PTI about the backlash, saying, “After the Kurdu incident in Solapur, attempts are being made to portray Ajit Pawar as innocent, blaming Anjana Krishna entirely. Questions like ‘It was a civil matter, why involve the police?’ are being raised. But the video evidence is clear: the situation was tense, and without timely police intervention, a disaster was inevitable. Claiming ‘nothing happened’ is just misleading the public.

“After that, the issue escalated, debates began, and now the demand is being made to act against Anjali Krishna herself! Where exactly is Maharashtra heading?”

Former IPS officer Yashovardhan Jha Azad, who served as Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, criticized the Deputy CM’s actions.

“The brazen, naked, disgusting display of power was shown by the Deputy CM of Maharashtra in giving an illegal order to a lady IPS officer. Anjana should be congratulated for being firm yet polite. Yes now Pawar will shunt her to an obscure posting but young lady, you will remain a hero in the eyes of the public.

“There are others before you. Tukaram Mundhe, an IAS officer, who was attacked by the mafia in Solapur when he was Collector – another hero who has been transferred 23 times in 19 years. If politicians allow or collude in loot of public resources, then our democracy is sunk. He should resign or law should take its course against him for interfering with lawful duties of a police officer,” said Azad, who is also a former Central Information Commissioner.

Veteran activist and public interest lawyer Prashant Bhushan questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X, asking provocatively, “na khaunga, na khane doonga, Modi ji? or, khaunga aur khane doonga? or, khane wale ko CM and Dy CM banaunga?”

Major Digvijay Singh Rawat (Retd), a Kirti Chakra awardee, drew a historical parallel, saying, “Just like Rani Laxmi Bai who faced empires without fear, IPS Anjana Krishna too showed courage not about loud words but about unwavering integrity.

“The spirit and zeal of many young IPS/IAS officers often withers away under the pressure of corrupt politicians. We have to stand with them if we honestly want change.”

The incident has reignited debate about the balance of power in Maharashtra and the treatment of civil servants who uphold the law in the face of political interference. While Anjana continues to receive public support, the state’s political machinery remains largely silent, raising concerns about the message it sends to young officers across the country.