Amit Shah case: Police officers are divided in opinion

The Fear Factor
An important element in this game is the 'fear factor'. Many a bureaucrats believe that the Modi-Shah  establishment capitalized on it effectively. The popular perception is that the former MoS, home, was known to hold up promotions, supersede senior officers, effect unceremonious transfers, effectively sideline those who did not toe the line - and adopt other means of intimidation.
The other side plays on the same sentiment.
"Now, it is the next level of fear of being observed by this establishment's rivals. We need to watch our back ourselves closely," an officer says.

The IPS
The IPS lobby is divided into mainly three sections - one that 'falls in line'; the second that clearly 'does not fall in line' and the third category, into which fall the majority — who realize the situation but prefer to keep mum about it.

There are no fence sitters in this situation. Everyone has a distinct opinion. A few officers feel it will now be difficult to control terrorism. Others feel that the degradation of Gujarat's police forces has stopped, at least at the behest of politicians. But majority of officers, and even more so now, are those who take a diplomatic approach," a veteran in Gujarat's police force reluctantly says.

The IAS
'Was that tender process followed properly?'
'I hope no one was unduly favoured in that last big contract.'
These whispers would have been uncommon otherwise in Gujarat's self-assured babudom, but the past week's developments have changed the environment in Sachivalaya.

 "There is no doubt that babus are shaken. Some argue that the arrested IPS officers were beyond redemption; they functioned with such impunity that we knew about it since long and their arrest was inevitable.

But despite all media speculations, we did not expect the minister would be arrested. Shah had more than his fair share of clout with Modi, and his arrest is a blatant statement that Modi is not untouchable. And therefore, we need to be very very careful when, and if, asked to do things out of line," a senior babu says, as he briskly flicks news channels in his official chamber following the latest developments in Shah's case.

A higher-ranking IAS officer's analysis is that this could become a hindrance for Modi's 'bright projections' of Gujarat in days to come. "We may not have to deal with overt 'crimes', but aiding Modi's demands to project everything 'Vibrant' in Gujarat does amount to stretching the truth at times. I'd advise my colleagues to be careful," he says.

Babus’ loss of face
Another consequence is loss of face for Gujarat bureaucrats, especially in New Delhi and amongst their ilk nationally. This is despite the fact that six IAS officers from Gujarat have been empanelled by the Centre earlier in the week.  "Till early this year, Gujarat's bureaucrats were always perceived to have an edge -- more competent, innovative and entrepreneurial.

But in the past few months, I've noticed a paradigm shift. With the arrest of so many IPS officers, we are sometimes generalized as 'saffronised' and corrupt. This can be detrimental for our personal growth and career," a young IAS officer with an impressive educational background who recently returned from a national meeting, said.

A similar sentiment was echoed by a senior officer who confided that Gujarat babus do not have the sympathy or empathy of their national counterparts. "Whenever the administrative wings (IAS, IPS, IFS) are in trouble, bureaucrats from other states and in the central government extend support and empathy.

If a large number of bureaucrats are dragged into a controversy, their group invariably perceives it as victimization by the political brass. But shockingly for us, it has not happened this time. We did conduct ourselves with a chip on our shoulders, what with
Gujarat's rapid development and growth, but now..."

Home: In a tight spot earlier this week, Modi distributed Shah's portfolios, finance to  Vajubhai Vala, agriculture to Dilip Sanghani, with Parbat Patel as Minister of State for all - except of course the most crucial portfolio — Home.

That Modi kept for himself. There are many contenders in the ministry for the coveted job, but the most challenging task for them is not to influence Modi to give them the portfolio, but to get the administration to function as required by the political brass. Especially with elections round the corner.

Sources in the IPS lobby candidly admit they would not think twice; they would not even contemplate the execution of inordinate orders by political bosses. "We refuse to praise the 'emperor's clothes'," a senior officer said.