An Ambedkarite Cop's Unique Mission to Ensure One Advocate per Family

Lucknow: IPS officer Dr. B.P. Ashok, is not just another bureaucrat. Ashok holds a Ph.D. and a D.Lit, showcasing his high level of academic achievement and expertise. His mission for society extends beyond his role as a police officer. Ashok, a cop in the UP Zone, aims to make society a better place to live.

Ashok was born to IPS officer Devi Singh Ashok, and his family hails from a village in Bulandshahr, western Uttar Pradesh. His extensive list of campaigns is directed towards sensitizing both adults and children. Currently posted in Indira Bhawan, Lucknow, Ashok has served in various areas of the city.

Last month, on the occasion of Constitution Day, the socially active cop was involved in the Har Ghar Adhivakta Abhiyaan (Advocate in Every Home Campaign).

He emphasizes the need for 'An advocate per Family', as advocates are crucial for people from weaker sections due to their knowledge of laws and their ability to litigate cases. However, the campaign is not limited to incubating lawyers; it also aims to spread awareness among people to settle disputes through conciliation.

He says, "We have a battery of lawyers who carry out awareness drives in their villages, towns, districts, etc., for a day. We create awareness among the people that DLSA (District Legal Service Authority) conducts Lok Adalat at the district level, and using the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1966, they can settle their disputes. People with poor economic backgrounds are financially assisted for litigation. Similarly, there is SLSA (State Legal Service Authority) at the state level and NLSA at the national level. The lawyers also warn people that there are sections of IPC with stringent provisions against crimes that can land them in jail. He says, "There are 80 lakh cases pending in court, and therefore, to ease the burden, we have initiated this campaign.

A long list of campaigns to instil

Other campaigns initiated by B.P. Ashok are the Social Media ka Sadupyog Abhiyaan (the use of Social Media campaign), Sampark badhao Abhiyaan (increase network), jaati bandi kanoon Abhiyan (ban Caste campaign), karyakarta badhao (add activists). He says that he received success in the Shakshatkar hatao abhiyaan (Remove Interview Campaign) when the interview of 200 marks was reduced to 100 marks in the PCS (Provincial Service Service) exam.

Rahul Anand, an engineer with Hindustan Aeronautical Limited, says, "From January to December, his calendar is marked for the campaigns that he undertakes, while in the month of April, they observe Ambedkar Maah, and a seminar is held daily, where the citizens are made legally and socially aware. The Ph.D., D.Lit cop, believes that increasing police and legislators per population will help in addressing governance issues. A fitness freak, he believes that a fit person will be able to handle things effectively. Rahul, who has been with Ashok for the last 23 years, says that a person in his company learns to speak with wisdom.

Fundamental Rights and the Preamble should be inculcated in young minds. Children belonging to the General Category should be sensitized about the challenges and handicaps faced by people of weaker sections, so that they do not feel disgruntled with the policies of reservation. They should also be taught that stronger people should protect the weaker people.

Payback to Society: A Much Needed but Widely Avoided Duty

Today, many people are in government jobs, availing the benefits of representation. If one lakh people start contributing to the payback to the society mission, then we can open schools, Budh Vihar, Hostels, Clinic, Gymnasium, shops, complex, etc., after forming committees (registered). One needs to ensure that the money goes into the accounts of the registered committees. In the case of atrocity, the contribution should be sent to the account of the family members of the victim. Even if 2 lakh people agree to the Payback to the society, we can open a university, hospital daily.

IPS officer is also said to have played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Bahujan Kranti Stambh, a monumental tribute to the martyrs of the 2nd April 2018 movement at his ancestral village in Bulandshahar. His father Dr. Devi Singh Ashok, also an ardent Ambedkarite, is the patron of the Bahujan Kranti Stambh Nirman Committee.

He is against the denigration of any religion or faith, as he says, "mocking someone’s culture, faith is not a mission; it is a crime. One may leave the faith or a religion if one is not interested, but no one is free to disrespect another faith." The followers of Babasaheb should not adhere to unconstitutional means for agitations but follow democratic means. The mission of Buddha, Jyotiba Phule, and Ambedkar is a powerful mission; any unconstitutional means can only lead to problems.

He says a case against a student/youth can make them ineligible for passports, gun licenses, government jobs, etc., and therefore, they should avoid indulging in unnecessary fracas.

Ashok is serving as an epitome of Ambedkarite living and thinking for the people and says that he is inspired by Dr. Ambedkar’s mission, which also covers all the aims of Lord Buddha, Samrat Ashoka, Jyotiba, and Savitri Bai Phule. He says that to make life imperative, it is essential to live as a protagonist, and a protagonist does not keep hopes and expectations from society, does not look for excuses to not take initiatives but fulfills the expectations of others. He or she lives a life in a way that benefits his country, home, and society. Their sacrifices and hard work are mentioned even by their adversaries. He or she stays ahead of the curve in the most adverse circumstance.

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